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.

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 hideous-looking Phi Ta Khon mask which is made of dried sticky rice husk is painted in bright red, green or other colours, and features the characteristic long pointed nose. This completes the transformation. The clanging sound of the square cowbells worn around the waist announces the presence of the spirits who wield phallic-shaped long-handled swords decorated with red paint. The good-natured, fun-loving spirits mingle among the crowd, teasing and amusing all who take part in the procession. Spectators and visitors are welcome to join in the fun.

There are two types of “spirits” featured in the Phi Ta Khon procession namely the “Phi Ta Khon Yai” — the supreme Phi Ta Khon, and the “Phi Ta Khon Lek”, the ones that are commonly found. The making of the Phi Ta Khon Yai involves the performance of a sacred ritual to seek the blessings of the supreme powers before work on the Phi Ta Khon Yai masks can be initiated. It is also a task reserved exclusively for the descendants of families in which the tradition of making Phi Ta Khon masks has been practised for several generations. The Phi Ta Khon Yai is made of bamboo and is dressed in either male or female attire.

Contact information:

Accommodation in Dan Sai District
Phu Pha Nam Resort
Tel: 042 078078-9

Rang Yen Resort
Tel: 042 809511 – 3, 042 809514

Lay Leelawadee Resort
Tel: 042 801277

SB Resort
Tel: 042 891918

Na Thum Nam Taeng Homestay
Tel: 042 892339,891583, 042 086 8624812

Accommodation in Phu Ruea District
Phu Dara Resort
Tel: 042 801138-9

Phu Ruea Busba
Tel: 042 899330, 042 899229

Phu Ruea Resort
Tel: 042 899048, 042 899042

Baan Thongchai Resort
Tel: 042 899116

Contact information:
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Loei Office
Tel: +66 (0) 4281 2812
Fax: +66 (0) 4281 1480
E-mail: tatloei@tat.or.th

Phu Ruea Resort
Tel: 042 899048, 042 899042

Baan Thongchai Resort
Tel: 042 899116

Contact information:
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Loei Office
Tel: +66 (0) 4281 2812
Fax: +66 (0) 4281 1480
E-mail: tatloei@tat.or.th
IMPORTANT: It makes sense, that before travelling far to attend an event or festival that you double check dates and times first.

1.1 Historical Background ::
Visakha Puja Day marks the three important incidents in the life of Lord Buddha on the same day – the full moon of the sixth lunar month. The three significant separate event are :
	1. The Buddha’s Birth - the Buddha was born into a royal warrior clan in the Lumbini Garden (in an area of Northern India known today as Nepal) In the morning of the Vesak full moon day, 80 years before the Buddhist Era. He was named Siddhattha five days after his birth.
2. “The Enlightenment of Buddha - While sitting under the Bodhi tree, he found his answer and attained the enlightenment at the age of 35 years at Uruvelasenanigama subdistrict, Magadha state, (nowadays, located in the area of Buddha Kaya, Bihar State, India), on Wednesday, the Vesak full moon day, the zodiac of the cock, forty five years before the Buddhist Era.
	3. The Nibbana - The Buddha passed away on Tuesday, the Vesak full moon day in the zodiac year of the small snake under the two Sal trees in the Sala Grove of the Mallas in Kusinara, the capital of the Malla state, (nowadays located in Kusinagara of Uttrarapradesa, India) at the age of eighty years (around 2547 years ago).
Visakha Puja (Vesak) means the worship of the Buddha on the full moon day of the sixth lunar month. It usually falls in May. In the case of a year with an extra eighth lunar month–Adhikamasa (there are 13 full moons in that year)– the Visakha Puja Day falls on the full moon day of the seventh lunar month.
1.2 Significance ::
Visakha Puja Day is recognized as most important memorial day in Buddhism for the Lord Buddha who wandered from place to place teaching his discoveries to people who are accessible to the instruction, helping large a number of people achieving various levels of spiritual attainment. He sent his followers to spread Buddhism in capitals, cities and upcountry, until Buddhism was firmly established and widely spread. Visakha Puja day is also recognized by the UNESCO in 1999 as “World Heritage Day”. Thailand where is the permanent location of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, is chosen to host celebrating event for the day.
1.3 An International Day of the United Nations ::
On December 13, 1999, the United Nations as the World Organization performing various activities accepted by the world wide population has unanimously resolved to declare the Visakha Puja Day (Vesak Day) as an International Day on December 15, 1999. This brings a lot of joy to the worldwide Buddhists.
1.4 Custom of Visakha Puja Day Rite ::
Every year when this important day comes around again, all Buddhists throughout the world gather together to perform the worship to recollect the wisdom, purity and compassion of the Buddha. Activities generally to be observed on the Visakha Puja Day are :
	‘TUM BOON’   *;Going to temples for special observances, making merit, listening to Dharma preaching, giving some donations and join in the other Buddhist activities.
‘RUB SIL’   *;Keeping the Five Precepts, including abstinence from alcoholic drinks and all kinds of immoral acts.
	‘TUK BARD’   *;Offering food to the monks and novices (in the alm bowl).
Practice of renuciation: Observe the Eight Precepts, practice of meditation and mental displine, stay in the temple, wearing white robes, for a number of days.
‘VIEN TIEN’  *;Attending the Candle Light Procession around the Uposatha Hall, in the evening of the Vesak full moon day.

read full story at http://www2.tat.or.th/visakhapuja/eng/about.html

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The Songkran festival (Thai: สงกรานต์, Khmer: សង្រ្កាន្ត; from the Sanskrit word saṃkrānti,[1] or literally “astrological passage”) is celebrated in Thailand as the traditional New Year’s Day from 13 to 15 April. It coincides with the New Year of many calendars of South and Southeast Asia.
The date of the festival was originally set by astrological calculation, but it is now fixed. If these days fall on a weekend, the missed days off are taken on the weekdays immediately following. If they fall in the middle of the week, many Thai take off from the previous Friday until the following Monday. Songkran falls in the hottest time of the year in Thailand, at the end of the dry season. Until 1888 the Thai New Year was the beginning of the year in Thailand; thereafter 1 April was used until 1940. 1 January is now the beginning of the year. The traditional Thai New Year has been a national holiday since then.
Songkran has traditionally been celebrated as the New Year for many centuries, and is believed to have been adapted from an Indian festival. It is now observed nationwide, even in the far south. However, the most famous Songkran celebrations are still in the northern city of Chiang Mai, where it continues for six days and even longer. It has also become a party for foreigners and an additional reason for many to visit Thailand for immersion in another culture.

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Sriwittayapaknam School in Samut Prakan put on Christmas activities for their students on the morning of 25th December 2009. As the students arrived at school, they were greeted by Santa Claus and a couple dozen fairies. The young fairies handed out candies to the students as they arrived.

During morning assembly, there was singing and dancing around a Christmas Tree. The students sang popular Christmas songs such as Jingle Bells, Away in a Manger and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. All of the students in our school are Buddhists and there are no Christians. However, Thai people are always keen to adopt festivities of other countries as long as they are fun.