SOUTHERN THAILAND
TENTH MONTH MERIT-MAKING FESTIVAL
September
At Wat Mahathat Woramahaviharn temple, the Nakhon Si Thammarat provincial office and Somdej Phra Srinagarindra 84 Park, Nakhon Si Thammarat

The tenth month merit-making festival, which is traditionally held towards the end of the tenth lunar month (September) in the provincial capital of Nakhon Si Thammarat, is an annual five-day, five-night Buddhist merit-making festival.

Believed to have evolved from an ancient Brahmin ritual, the festival is reflects the practice of ancestor worship and the Hindu-Buddhist belief in reincarnation, rebirth, and the concept of kamma (karma in Sanskrit). According to Buddhist belief, karma — the law of cause and effect — is universal and fundamental to existence. Karma means action. It is said that our own actions are the causes of whatever we experience. Good intentions and actions bring good results and bad intentions and actions bring bad results.

If an individual performs many good deeds during his/her lifetime as well as in past lives, he/she accumulates ‘merit’. They also get a little help from loved ones, family members and friends. During the tenth month merit-making festival, family members and friends show their loyalty and gratitude by making a visit to nearby temples to make merit in the hope that their good deeds will somehow generate merit ‘bonus points’ that will be received by loved ones who have passed on to the spiritual realm. This belief is central to the practice of ancestor worship. Family members prepare a sumptuous feast and make trips to the temple to present ritual merit-making offerings.

Folk Festivals
Once the rituals and ceremonies have ended, it’s time for celebrations, song and dance. Folk art and culture takes centre stage. Temple grounds are transformed into the staging areas for a colourful fair with a traditional open-air market, folk music and dance, various forms of traditional folk entertainment as well as food stalls. Activities staged are designed to strengthen community spirit.

Locations

• Temple Fair at Wat Mahathat Woramahaviharn
  The temple setting provides a convincing backdrop for a journey back in time and provides a glimpse of rarely seen traditions and way of life.
  
  Highlights include stage performances by local artists, stage drama, live presentations of folk wisdom and indigenous crafts including live demonstrations of how tenth month merit-making desserts that are presented as ritual offerings are made and a variety of contests such as traditional costumes contests and tricycle contests.
  
  
• Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Office
  In addition to an exhibition on royal activities — following in the footsteps of members of the royal family while on inspection trips to Nakhon Si Thammarat and a light-and-sound presentation in honour of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the auspicious occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of His Majesty’s accession to the throne. folk and stage performances that are becoming increasingly rare, such as the Nang Thalung shadow play performance and Manohra folk dance, are key attractions not to be missed.
  
  
• Leisure and Entertainment activities at Somdej Phra Srinagarindra 84 Park (Thuung Taa Talat)
  Festival highlights at the park reflect traditional as well a contemporary folk culture. These include a folk music festival and folk art contests such as competitions in folk art and village crafts, the recitation of poetry and essay contests. The ever-popular beauty contest adds colour to the event. Sports events feature basketball and takraw tournaments.

Nakhon Si Thammarat residents take great pride in their cultural heritage and are proud to share their rich cultural treasures with visitors. The folk festivals that accompany the tenth month merit-making ancestor worship rituals present a good opportunity to witness local culture and way of life in full force.

Many of the festivals and events listed on Thailand's official calendar of annual events are traditional Buddhist or folk festivals, the date of which is either determined by the Buddhist lunar calendar and waxing and waning moon. These are not staged events. The festivals reflect the rhythm of life in rural Thai villages and local traditions as observed in times past. To ensure you have the most updated event date, please reconfirm details prior to travel.

Contact information:
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Nakhon Si Thammarat Office
Tel: +66 (0) 7534 6515-6
Fax: +66 (0) 7534 6517
E-mail: tatnksri@tat.or.th

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