Admire magnificent traditional textiles such mudmee silk, the fine prae wa silks woven by the Phu Thai tribal villages in Kalasin province, Hang Karok patterned silk from Buriram province and indigo-dyed textiles from Sakhon Nakhon province.

PERFORMANCES AND SPECIAL ACTIVITIES IN THE PLENARY HALL
February 18 – 21, 2010

11.00 – 20.00

11.00 – 11.30

Bai Sri Su Kwan blessing ceremony performed by the Phu Thai tribe

11.30 – 12.00

Weaving the Story of Silk and Cotton and I-San textile designs

12.00 – 12.30

February 20 - 21

Nang Pramothai – a Northeastern variation of the Nang Thalung shadow play performances native to Southern Thailand

12.30 – 13.00

Weaving the Story of Silk and Cotton and I-San textile designs

13.00 – 13.30

Su Kwan Khao, a ritual performed to bless the rice following the harvest

13.30 – 14.00

Weaving the Story of Silk and Cotton and I-San textile designs

14.00 – 15.00

Bai Sri Su Kwan blessing ceremony performed by the Phu Thai tribe

15.00 – 15.30

Su Kwan Khao, a ritual performed to bless the rice following the harvest, followed by Fon Krayang, a folk dance

15.30 – 16.00

Weaving the Story of Silk and Cotton and I-San textile designs

16.00 – 16.30

16.30 – 17.00

Weaving the Story of Silk and Cotton and I-San textile designs

17.00 – 17.30

Bai Sri Su Kwan blessing ceremony performed by the Phu Thai tribe

17.30 – 18.00

Weaving the Story of Silk and Cotton and I-San textile designs

18.00 – 18.30

Su Kwan Khao, a ritual performed to bless the rice following the harvest, followed by Fon Krayang, a folk dance

18.30 – 19.00

Weaving the Story of Silk and Cotton and I-San textile designs

11.00/14.00/17.00
daily

Bai Sri Su Kwan blessing ceremony performed by the Phu Thai tribe

13.00/15.00/18.00
daily

12.00/16.00
daily

Moh Lam traditional folk music performance
Moh Lam Dek Noi, Moh Lam Baan Pla Kaow
Nang Pramothai — a Northeastern variation of the Nang Thalung shadow play performances native to Southern Thailand

FEBRUARY 2010
THE ANNUAL KALASIN PRAE WA SILK FESTIVAL
Venue: Rim Pao Hotel, Amphoe Muang Kalasin

The intricate and colourful designs of Prae Wa — the 'queen of silks' makes this fabric, the most exquisite and most famous of all of the handicrafts of Kalasin Province. The fabric is woven by the 'Phu Thai' settlers, descendants of Vietnamese immigrants from Meung Taeng. The annual Kalasin Prae Wa Silk Festival, the largest cultural festival of Kalasin Province, opens with a grand ceremony, followed by a spectacular procession.

MARCH 2010
BOON PHAWET MERIT-MAKING FAIR
Venue: The Princess Mother Somdej Phra Srinagarindara Park
Bueng Phlan Chai, Roi-et

The Boon Pawet fair is a merit-making ceremony that reflects the Buddhist belief in reincarnation. When one life ends, the soul enters another body to be born again. Prior to his life as Buddha, in one of his past lives, the Buddha-to-be (Bodhisattva) was re-born as Prince Vessandara, an episode noted as the last great incarnation before attaining Enlightenment. Hence, an occasion for Buddhist celebration.

APRIL 2010
KHAO PHANOM RUNG FESTIVAL
THE ASCENT OF KHAO PHANOM RUNG – ‘HOME OF THE GODS’
ASTRO-ARCHAEOLOGICAL PHENOMENON AT PRASAT HIN KHAO PHANOM RUNG
Phanom Rung Historical Park, Chalermphrakiat district, Buri Ram province

In Hindu and Buddhist cosmology, mountains are believed to be homes to the gods. Prasat Hin Khao Phanom Rung is a magnificent temple sanctuary set on the summit of Phanom Rung Hill. The original name of the temple complex is Phanom Rung, Khmer for big mountain.

Astro-archaeological Phenomenon at Prasat Hin Khao Phanom Rung
Astrologers have predicted that an extraordinary astro-archaeological phenomenon will occur at sunrise (06.00 a.m.) during the April 3-5 period this year. The doors of the temple sanctuary are so perfectly aligned that during this period, at sunrise on a cloudless day with clear blue skies, the sun’s rays will shine through all fifteen doorways of the sanctuary in a single shaft of light. (Plan to arrive between sunrise and before 06.00 a.m.)

Khao Phanom Rung Festival and The Ascent of Khao Phanom Rung
Highlights include a rarely seen invocation ritual or buang suang ceremony, a procession to pay homage to the gods and celestial beings, a traditional Northeastern Thailand or I-San-style hope bai dinner, cultural presentations, the Phanom Rung Devalai light-and-sound presentations and traditional cultural performances and sales of a range of souvenirs, village handicrafts and products from the sub-districts (tambon) of Buri Ram province promoted under the OTOP — One Tambon One Product — banner.

MAY 7 - 9, 2010
BUN BANG FAI ROCKET FESTIVAL
Yasothon Municipal Office on Chaeng Sanit Road and Yasothon Provincial Office

Born of the traditional beliefs of the Isan people, the sprightly "Bun Bang Fai" Rocket Festival, the most celebrated of Isan's merit-making rituals, has been strictly observed by the residents of Isan for generations and is essentially an annual ritual to ensure that the seasonal rains fall at the appropriate time in the planting cycle. In this process, Buddhist merit-making traditions are also observed and reinforced. Highlights of the annual Bun Bang Fai celebrations being held this year include a procession of old-style rockets mounted on traditional carts, a beauty pageant, cheerleader contests, and a traditional 'Palaeng' I-san style dinner.

Bun Bang Fai Rocket Festival
Please click to view

JUNE 25 -27, 2010
PHI TA KHON & BUN LUANG FESTIVAL
Dan Sai District, Loei District and Province

The Phi Ta Khon festival is unique to the Dan Sai district in Loei Province and reflects the local Isan belief in ghosts and spirits. Held once a year, it is part of a grand merit-making festival known as the "Boon Luang" festival.

The origins of the Phi Ta Khon Festival can be found in the tale of Lord Buddha's last great incarnation before attaining Enlightenment. In Buddhist accounts, it is said that when Prince Vessandara, the Buddha's penultimate incarnation, returned to his city, it was such a joyous occasion that the village spirits came forth to join the welcoming parade. This very colourful and vibrant Phi Ta Khon procession is the central focus of the celebrations.

In a lively re-enactment of the tale, the young men of the community dress up as "spirits" wearing long trailing costumes made from colourful strips of cloth sewn together.

JULY 1 - 31, 2010
UBON RATCHATHANI CANDLE FESTIVAL 2010 &
THE 5th INTERNATIONAL WAX SCULPTURE EXHIBITION 2010
At Thung Sri Muang Park and Ubon Ratchathani National Muesum

As the seasonal monsoon rains descend over the kingdom, it marks the beginning of the Buddhist "rain retreat" and the Buddhist Lent, or "Phansa", during which all Buddhist monks retreat to the temples. Known as "Khao Phansa", the Buddhist Lent is a time devoted to study and meditation.

During the Buddhist Lent, men folk, ordained as well as laymen, with artistic skills set about the task of moulding and sculpting Lenten candles. As these works of art are to be presented as Buddhist merit-making offerings, the artisans pour their heart and soul into their craft. Many of these are fine examples of Buddhist art and sculpture.
The candle festival is unique to Ubon Ratchathani province and the customs and traditions related to this Buddhist festival have been diligently preserved by local communities.

Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival
Please click to view

OCTOBER 15 - 23, 2010
ILLUMINATED BOAT PROCESSION
The Mekong River, Nakhon Phanom

As night falls, majestic ‘fire boats’, elaborately-adorned with flowers, incense sticks, candles and lanterns and each bearing an assortment of ritual offerings, are set alight and floated down the Mekong River.

Against the darkness of the moonlit night, the sight of flickering light from candles and lanterns on magnificent ‘fire boats’ drifting downstream on the Mekong River, is both mesmerising and awe-inspiring. It is this enchanting spectacle that has given the water-borne procession its very name — ‘Lai Reua Fai', which literally means to set afloat a ‘fire boat’.

OCTOBER 4 - 10, 2010
THE SAKHON NAKHON WAX CASTLE PROCESSION
& ROYAL TROPHY LONG-BOAT RACES
At Wat Phra That Choeng Chum Temple, Sakon Nakhon

To mark the end of Buddhist Lent or ‘Ok Pansa’, communities in Northeastern Thailand or ‘I-San’ stage an annual celebration consisting of a grand procession of meticulously-carved wax castles, long-boat races and festive celebrations. On the final day of the festival, which falls on the end of the Buddhist Lent, local residents make a trip to the temples to make merit.

An ancient folk tradition passed down from generation to generation, over the centuries, the tradition has evolved. Originally, ornate wax trees carved out of poles of beeswax were presented to temples along with other merit-making ritual offerings. Contemporary offerings consist of elaborate designs and sophisticated shapes and forms. Beeswax is molded into miniature Buddhist temples and shrines or wax castles.

OCTOBER 23 - 24, 2010
NAGA FIREBALLS
At the Wat Thai temple City Pillar Shrine
Pon Pisai district in Nong Khai

As the full moon crests the horizon, ruby orbs of light begin to rise out of the Mekong River. As if by magic, they float silently into the air and then evaporate in the inky blackness, a phenomenon that awes and delights observers privileged to have seen them. For centuries, their existence was a closely-held secret among villagers living near the northeastern town of Nong Khai.

Naga Fireballs
Please click to view

NOVEMBER 12– 14, 2010
PHIMAI FESTIVAL
At Phimai Historical Park
Please click to view

NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 10, 2010
SILK AND PHUK SEOW FESTIVAL
Khon Kaen

Internationally, Thailand has always been famous for its lustrous silk. One of the major centres of silk production, Khon Kaen is the venue of a fair to promote silk weaving and sericulture. This event is held in conjunction with the Phuk Siao friendship ritual of the northeast. Colourful street processions and typical I-san cultural shows as well as exhibits on the silk industry add to the fun of the fair.