'Sart Duan Sib' - Festival of the Tenth Lunar Month

image courtesy of Phuket Heritage Trail - permission requested

I have to admit to have being so mixed up with the Phuket Vegetarian Festival that this important Buddhist Festival passed me by completely - thank you to Phuket Heritage Trails for reminding me.

This is their text as well - 

The most important Buddhist merit-making festival for Southern Thai people is the annual Tenth Month Festival, Sart Duan Sib, traditionally held towards the end of the 10th month of Thai lunar calendar (September/October).

Buddhist Thais believe that spirits of their ancestors, particularly ones that have not yet reincarnated, and the suffering spirits with no relative called ‘Prate’ (hungry ghosts) will be released from the underworld, from the 1st to the 15th day of the waning moon in the 10th lunar month.

This belief is fundamental to the practice of ancestors worship. During the 15 days, Thai family members and friends show their loyalty, gratitude, and respects to their ancestors by preparing sumptuous feast and making trips to nearby Thai temples to present ritual merit-making offerings. 

For more information please click here.

I might see something this evening.