Date: 23 June 2012
Venue: Dan Sai District, Loei

Phi Ta Khon Festival is a part of the Bun Phawet or Bun Luang Festival, a grand merit-making event that takes place over 3 days. The most interesting part of this festival is the Phi Ta Khon procession which is a re-enactment of the tale of Phra Wetsandon, believed to be the last incarnation before the last re-birth of Lord Buddha. The story states that when Phra Wetsandon returned from the forest into town, the ghosts and animals joined the procession, called ‘Phi Tam Khon’ or ‘ghost follows human.’ Over time, this became Phi Ta Khon. The participants of the Phi Ta Khon wear ghost masks made of colourful bamboo sticky rice steamers, and dress in costumes made of many pieces of fabric sewn together. The Rocket Festival is also included as part of the Bun Luang Festival and bamboo rockets are launched intothe sky as prayers for rain. 

Highlight: The parade of Phi Ta Khon moves around the city and everyone is welcome to join the procession and dance to the North-Eastern music. For good luck, you are invited to join the locals in the gathering at the temple on the third day of the festival to listen to the 13 chapters of the ‘Maha Chat’ or the Great Birth sermon. 

Contact: TAT Call Centre: 1672
TAT Loei Office: Tel. 66 4281 2812 
Website: www.tourismthailand.org