Por Tor Festival 2013

Por Tor Festival 2013

We gathered at Queen Sirikit Park this year - 

I have written about the Por Tor Festival a number of times so I hope not to copy what I have written previously.

Por Tor Parade and Festival 2012 

Por Tor comes to Phuket Town 2011   

Por Tor Festival 2010 

It is called 'The Hungry Ghost Festival'  because the people which are of Chinese descent believe that once a year their ancestors will visit them on Earth. The dead ancestors are welcomed with food and the turtles are made and shared to welcome longevity.

There was a traditional parade being organised and I recognised the same man who was also at the front of the Vegetarian Parade last year - one of the three musketeers.

The parade began with gusto and excitement - wonderful atmosphere. The parade wound it's way through the streets of Phuket Old Town - the traffic was delayed and we all watched the parade.

The parade leaders went to Jui Tui Shrine whilst the rest of the parade went towards the local market.

The parade was joined by a dancing Chinese dragon which danced in the streets.

Then there were firecrackers - just on the floor. Odd that a tourist drove over the firecrackers... 

The firecrackers exploded in front of the dragon and the parade walked into the car park (first floor).

I believe that the lady on the left is a Politician?

It was at this point that I noticed that some people had joined the parade - they were at the front and one person was carrying what looked like an urn which looked like it was from the front of a Chinese Shrine. It looked pretty heavy as well - I had not noticed this before - but everyone was trying to touch it and take a photograph so it must have had significance!

We all proceeded to the first floor where there was a plethora of red turtles and lots of food placed on tables. In the middle was what looked like an offering table in a Chinese Shrine. This was where the Urn was placed and all the people gathered and knelt on the red carpet - just like a Chinese Shrine.

Then police came in carrying red turtles - couldn't think of a phrase to go with the pictures though...

Prayers were said, noodles share, joss sticks lit and fireworks on the roof were lit.

A special afternoon - thank you.

Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival (22-23 July)

As I visit more Buddhist Temples and Chinese Shrines scattered throughout Phuket I see more and more of these ornate candles.

These are nothing compared to the candles that are in this festival -

Amazing - image from Richard Barrow  - used with permission

The Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival, the most elaborate of the traditional parading of candles to wats (Thai: แห่เทียน hae thian), is held in Ubon Ratchathani, Isan, Thailand, around the days of Asanha Puja (which commemorates the Buddha’s first sermon) and Wan Kao Pansa (which marks the beginning of vassa).

At the start of the Lenten period, it is traditional in preparation for the rainy season for the devout to donate to items for the personal use of monks, and of candles to dispel gloom in their quarters and elsewhere within the wat. The latter is often the core event of many village celebrations, but is at its most elaborate in the Ubon Ratchathani version, which nowadays is a major event both for residents and for tourists: giant candles are paraded through the town, each representing a local temple, district or other institution. The more elaborate versions are accompanied by scenes ofHindu and Buddhist mythology sculpted in wood or plaster and coated with wax. Of course, these candles are never burned.

the text is from Wikipedia

The candles in the Festival are never lit but the ones above (from Wat Sam Kong - just outside Phuket Town / near Tesco Lotus).

Phi Ta Khon Festival (10 - 12 July)

What can I add to this description of this vent by Richard Barrow - this looks 
FABULOUS...

The Phi Ta Khon festival is unique to the Dan Sai district in Loei Province and reflects the local Isan belief in ghosts and spirits. Held once a year, it is part of a grand merit-making festival known as the “Boon Luang” festival. This year it is on 10-12 July 2013.

The origins of the Phi Ta Khon Festival can be found in the tale of Lord Buddha’s last great incarnation before attaining Enlightenment. In Buddhist accounts, it is said that when Prince Vessandara, the Buddha’s penultimate incarnation, returned to his city, it was such a joyous occasion that the village spirits came forth to join the welcoming parade. This very colourful and vibrant Phi Ta Khon procession is the central focus of the celebrations.

In a lively re-enactment of the tale, the young men of the community dress up as “spirits” wearing long trailing costumes made from colourful strips of cloth sewn together.


The text and images are Richard Barrow's - more text here.

9th Pang Sida Butterfly Watching Festival (8 June - 31 July)

We love to visit the Butterfly Garden and Insect World here in Phuket so I was interested to see this Festival in the margin of the Bangkok Post.

The event takes place at Pang Sida National Park which I feel is a little too far for me to go from Phuket but...

note - this is 2012

"Sa Kaeo, 10 June 2013, (NNT) -- Sa Kaeo Province has kicked off its 9th Pang Sida Butterfly Festival, inviting all nature lovers to enjoy the sight of more than 400 types of the flying insect. 

Sa Kaeo Governor Pakkaratorn Tienchai presided over the opening ceremony of the festival at the Pang Sida National Park in Muang District. Also attending the event were the park's Director General Nuwat Leelapata, high ranking local government officials, community leaders, and members of the public. 

Governor Pakkaratorn said that, at the beginning of the rainy season each year, the park houses roughly 450 kinds of butterflies for visitors to enjoy. The festival is therefore established to promote tourism to the province, a means to generate income to the locals, and to portray the province as 'the butterfly city of the East'. 

The festival will run until the end of July. 

The Pang Sida National Park is part of the Khao Yai - Dong Phya Yen mountainous range, Thailand's forest conservation zone that has earned the World Heritage title from UNESCO."

text is from Thai News

Sunthorn Phu Day (26-30 June)

image from Thaizer - permission requested

The number of special days that we have in Thailand are wonderful. Sunthorn Phu Day is to commemorate a Royal Poet - Sunthorn Phu.

He was a poet in the reign of King Rama II and when this King passed away he resigned and became a Monk. Twenty years later, in the reign of King Rama III he returned to the Royal Court but this time he was appointed as a Royal Scribe (info from Wikipedia).