Bun Luang and Phi Ta Khon Festival 2024 to take place 7-9 July

Bun Luang and Phi Ta Khon Festival 2024

Every year, Dan Sai district in Loei province in Northeast Thailand celebrates a colourful cultural event known as ‘Bun Luang and Phi Ta Khon’ Festival.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to announce that this year, the unique tradition of Bun Luang and Phi Ta Khon Festival will be held from 7-9 July in Dan Sai district of the Northeastern province of Loei.

This is a unique celebration of the province, and the colourful processions and masked villagers ensure that a large number of visitors come to the little village to enjoy the three-day fun.

The most recognised feature of the Phi Ta Khon is the colourful parade of locals who dance, and strike poses while wearing huge masks creatively made from carved coconut-tree trunks, topped with wicker sticky-rice steamers that make them appear taller and more grotesque.

The Bun Luang and Phi Ta Khon Festival is one of the most popular traditions of Isan alongside other events, such as, the Bun Bang Fai rocket festival.

As well as the unique masked parade through the town, there are other activities including several traditional rituals and Buddhist ceremonies at Wat Phon Chai, such as, a recitation of the thirteen sermons of Phra Vessandorn – about a previous life of the Lord Buddha.

Several contests including a Phi Ta Khon mask dance competition, special markets selling food and local handicrafts, live music performance and cultural shows add to the unique celebration.

Typically, activities on the first day include food offerings to monks at the temple, a summoning of spirits ceremony, a cultural ceremony and stage performances.

On day two, the programme includes the festival’s official opening ceremony in front of Dan Sai District Office, followed by a summoning of spirits and then the grand Phi Ta Khon parade, making of merit and firing of bamboo rockets.

On day three, there will be 13 consecutive Buddhist sermons at Wat Phon Chai and parading of consecutive Buddhist sermons of all villages in Dan Sai District.

For more information, contact the TAT Loei Office at Tel. +66 (0) 4281 2812; +66 (0) 4281 1405 or via E-mail: tatloei@tat.or.th.