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Bua Tong Blossom
Festival
Each year in November, the hillsides of
Khun Yuam and Mae Sariang districts are filled with a host of golden
Bua Tong Blooms. As gay as a daisy and almost as large as a
sunflower, the Bua Tong only blossoms for a month.
At Doi
Mae U-Kho, the blossoms appear profusely. Finally, the golden blooms
become part of the scene. Some specialists have classified these Bua
Tong as weeds and because of this, they may be cleared to make way
for cash crops. Fortunately a group of researchers have discovered
the flowers insect-repellent properties. And perhaps that is why the
Bua Tong, a symbol of Mae Hong Son, is still preserved on the
hillsides.
Chong Phara Procession
The Chong Phara in the Thai Yai dialect means a castle made
of wood, covered with colourful perforated papers and decorated with
fruits, flags and lamps. It is placed in the courtyard of a house or
a monastery as a gesture to welcome the Lord Buddha on his return
from giving sermons to his mother in heaven, according to
traditional belief. Other activities to celebrate the occasion
include dances where performers are dressed in animal costumes. The
rite is held during the post rain retreat season from the full-moon
day of the 11 the Lunar month (around October) to the waxing moon
night of the same month.
Loi Krathong
Festival
Loi Krathong Festival is held on the full
moon night in the month of November every year. Villagers make
krathongs to float in rivers. At Nong Chong Kham, various
entertainments and a contest of large krathongs are held near the
central pond. Lamps and candles are lit all around the area.
Moreover, at Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu, there is a ceremony of
releasing candle-lit krathongs bound with balloons to the sky (known
as Loi Krathong Sawan).
Poi Sang Long Procession
This is in fact the celebration of novice
ordination which the Thai Yai tribe people hold to be a highly
meritorious occasion. Traditionally, the candidate-novice, his head
cleanly shaven and wrapped with head-cloth in the Burmese style,
will don a prince-like garment and put on valuable jewels and gems,
and ride a horse or be carried over the shoulders of a man to the
city shrine. On the ordination eve, a procession of offerings and
other necessary personal belongings will be paraded through the town
streets and then placed at the monastery where the ordination will
take place the next day. It is usually held during March-May before
the Buddhist Rain Retreat period.
Tea Tasting
Festival
This is anually held in February to
promote tea products of the Rak Thai village. The activities include
hot tea tasting, tea-making demonstrations combined with cultural
shows. Visitors can also enjoy riding a horse around the
village. |
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Thai
