 |
| |
Chonburi Province
Annual Festival
 is
an activity annually organised by the people of
Chonburi since 1932. The Festival combines the
festivals of venerating Puttha Sihing, Songkran
and the Red Cross Fair together into one. It is
held around the middle of April every year. The
festivals?s activities include a procession for
venerating Phra Puttha Sihing Buddha image, water
pouring for the elders, folk games,?Khon? or classical
masked-dances from the Department of Fine Arts,
cultural performance, exhibitions and stalls.
The festival aims to conserve and promote local
customs as well as to instill a sense of value
for the cultural heritage.
Wan Lai Festival
The heat in Thailand intensifies once the month
of April comes. People of old were wise enough
to initiate the Songkran festival to cool themselves
off from the heat and celebrate it as the Thai
New Year. In the central region, the festival
is usually held on the 13th-15th of April while
in the east there is a difference as the water
throwing activities commence on the 16th or 17th,
18th or 19th, known as ?Wan Lai? (Flowing Day).
Pattaya Festival
usually held at the middle of April to promote
tourism and Pattaya's reputation. Floral floats
are paraded along the streets. The Miss Pattaya
beauty contest is held as well as traditional
and aquatic sports competitions and construction
of sand castles. A spectacular fireworks display
takes place on the beach and fire crackers are
also set off. Simultaneously, there are arts and
cultural performances, exhibitions and souvenirs
for sale.
Ancestral Spirits Ceremony
Festival
is at Si Racha District. It is based on an old
custom of the people of Chonburi only practiced
now in Si Racha. It is held every year between
April 19-21 on the grounds in front of Tambon
Si Racha Municipal Office and on Ko Loy Si Racha.
Activities comprise a parade by the elderly group
and personnel from differrent government agencies,
dressed in traditional folk costumes, ceremonies
for the appeasement of the spirits, demonstration
of Kong Khao or rice piling, folk games, demonstration
and sales of local cuisine and delicacies.
Koh Pra Sai Wan Lai Festival
at Bangsaen is based on an ancient tradition practiced
by generations of Tambon Saensuk residents, formerly
called the Wan Lai Merit-Making Ceremony. Villagers
from various places would gather to make merit
for the Thai New Year(Songkran). Monks from every
temple in Tambon Saensuk congregate to perform
religious rites that start with merit-making and
food-offering and the bathing of Buddha images.
These are followed by other activities such as
building sand stupas, water-throwing, games and
folk sports.
Boon Klang Ban and Phanatnikhom
Basketware Festival
is a festival that dates back several years ago
usually taking place during the 3rd to the 6th
month of the Thai lunar calendar. An elder or
respected villager determines a day for merit
making and the ridding of ill luck for the well-being
of the people. The religious ceremonies are followed
by the sharing of meals and performances of folk
games.
Chonburi Buffalo Race
 is
an age-old tradition in the Province of Chonburi
held annually on the 14th full moon night of the
11th lunar month which falls in October. Apart
from the one held in Muang District of Chonburi
Province, other races also take place at around
the same time in Ban Bung and Nong Yai District.On
the day of the festival, farmers will bring in
their buffaloes draped attractively with multicoloured
satin cloths, and gather on the lawns of the Provincial
Hall.
Buffaloes are entered in races, and health plus
best-decorated competitions. Young women also
compete in a beauty contest where girls vie for
the title of "Nong Nang Ban Na" farm
maiden. |
|
Pattaya
