LAP LAE FRUIT AND DURIAN FESTIVAL
June 2 - 6, 2010
Hua Dong sub-district (tambon), Lap Lae district in Uttaradit province
The Lap Lae durian and fruit festival is being held in the sub-district of Hua Dong in the district of Lap Lae in Uttaradit province during June 2-6, 2010. The event presents visitors, especially durian-lovers, with an opportunity to shop and taste a great variety of durian products featured in various contests. Some of the key attractions of the event include the Giant Durian contest, crispy durian contest, durian cake contest, durian in light syrup, durian prepared in a Thai-style salad or som tam. A Miss Durian Orchard beauty pageant and food festival completes the festival programme.
The harvest season in Uttaradit also presents an excellent opportunity for agro-tourism. Visitors will be able to take leisurely tours of fruit orchards and durian plantations to learn the local way of life centred around the cultivation and harvest of fruits.
BAI SRI SU KWAN BLESSING CEREMONY AND GRAND PROCESSION
ON
LAP LAE DISTRICT’S ‘FRUIT DAY’
June 6, 2010/ 08.30 – 14.30
At Mon Cham Sin Park in the sub-district of Tambon Fai Luang, Lap Lae district, Uttaradit province
The performance of the Bai Sri Su Kwan blessing ceremony during the Lap Lae district ‘Fruit Day’ to be held at Mon Cham Sit Park in the sub-district of Tambon Fai Luang, Lap Lae district, Uttaradit province on 6 June is one of the other highlights of the province’s durian and fruit festival.
Hae toke bai sri polmai
The residents from no less than six different villages in Lap Lae district will come together to take part in a blessing ceremony and grand procession called hae toke bai sri polmai, a time-honoured tradition in which fruits set on beautifully-decorated ornamental pedestal trays or toke are carried in a colourful procession and presented as ritual and merit-making offerings. The Bai Sri Su Kwan blessing ceremony is performed by a spiritual leader known to the community as moh riak kwan or poh awk. When the ceremony ends, the trays of fruit that have been blessed are presented to visitors and guests as gifts.
Other highlights of the event include a traditional northern-style open-air market called a kaad mua with a vast variety of food stalls offering over 40 local dishes including a selection of famous dishes from each of the villages.
| Programme |
08.30 |
Visitors and guests arrive at Mon Cham Sin Park in the sub-district of Tambon Fai Luang, Lap Lae district |
09.00 |
Witness the local way of life centred around fruit orchards and plantations. Learn about the different varieties of fruits available as local hosts conduct a brief orientation. |
09.50 |
Klong Yao long drum procession and
Hae toke bai sri polmai procession |
10.30 |
A Buddhist merit-making ritual is performed. Food offerings are presented to the monks. |
11.30 |
Bai Sri Su Kwan blessing ceremony |
12.00 |
Traditional northern-style open-air market or kaad mua. A vast variety of food stalls are offering over 40 local dishes, including a selection of famous dishes from each of the villages. |
12.30 |
Bai Sri Su Kwan blessing ceremony ends. |
14.30 |
Agro-tourism Tour:
Witness how fruits are harvested and transported using traditional as well as modern techniques at Nam Toke Mae Plu waterfall, Mae Plu sub-district, Lap Lae district
|
The harvest season and fruit festival coincides with the Green Season in Uttaradit province and is the perfect time for agro-tourism. In addition to an opportunity to taste a great variety of delicious freshly-picked tropical fruits, visitors can also learn about the local way of life and folk wisdom reflected in the daily activities of the residents. Take a bicycle tour of the orchards and plantations and observe folk agricultural practices. See how fruits are cultivated and harvested using traditional folk appliances. Also observe how local dishes are prepared.
Contact information:
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Phrae office
Tel: +66 (0) 5452 1118-9, (0) 5452 1127
Fax: +66 (0) 5452 1119
E-mail: tatphrae@tat.or.th |
