Chinese Vegetarian Festival—Nationwide
Enormous amounts of food, Chinese operatic performances and elaborate offerings are made at various Chinese temples around Bangkok, which creates a superb photographic opportunity.
Chinatown Vegetarian Food Festival--Bangkok
Hundreds of shop-houses and quaint-looking specialty stores line the streets and alleys offering a range of merchandise such as household goods, gift items, stationary, toys, clothes, Chinese foodstuff generally at wholesale prices. Today, Yawaraj remains a bustling centre of trade however along its streets and alleys, pockets of traditional architecture can still be seen.
There will also be a variety of stalls offering other popular dishes for which Yawaraj is famous including glutinous rice with filling, double-boiled clear soups, "rad na" rice noodles, "kui teow lod" steamed rice-noodle rolls with various filling and old-fashioned coffee.
Phuket vegetarian Festival
Sacred rituals are
performed at various Chinese shrines and temples and aesthetic displays such
as walking barefooted over hot coals and ascending ladders with bladed rungs
are performed by entranced devotees known as "Ma Song."
During the festival, the din of fireworks and drums is a common feature of
the ceremonies performed as it is believed that the loud noise drives away
evil spirits.
The festival ends
with merit-making ceremonies being held at each of the temples. A ritual
known as "sadoh kroh" or casting away bad fortune, and the send-off of the
gods which is accompanied by impressive firework displays on the last night.
The Wax Castle Procession & Royal Trophy Long-Boat Races—Sakhon Nakhon
Originally, ornate wax trees carved out of poles of beeswax were presented
to temples along with other merit-making ritual offerings.
The annual wax castle procession is a special time for family reunions with relatives reunited in merit-making activities, sharing in goodwill as well as good times. Community resources are pooled and monks and community members join hands to craft these ornate wax castles as merit-making offerings and to stage a grand ceremony and festive celebrations, a notable expression of Buddhist devotion and one which strengthens the bond between the village temple and the community it serves.
Illuminated Boat Procession—Nakhon Phanom
Located on the bank of the Mekong River, the provincial capital of Nakhon Phanom observes “Ok Phansa” by setting intricately decorated boats, each containing a lighted candle, adrift on the river when night falls. Various entertainments are also provided in the town during the several days of the festival.
Tak Bat Devo—Uthai Thani
Tak Bat Devo means
to fill the bowls of the gods, and in this festival, held a day after “ok
Phansa,” monks descend from a hilltop temple to receive offerings from local
people, as the Buddha himself is believed to have done after preaching to
his mother in heaven. Fold theatre and other entertainment is also provided.
Buffalo races—Chon Buri CHON
The creatures are seen in more unusual and entertaining ways than ploughing
fields. They take part in buffalo races and contests pitting buffalo against
man.
Beauty pageants and various other fun-filled activities are part of the attractions presented.
