Lopburi Province - Culture - Festivals

Festivals

King Narai the Great’s Reign Fair (งานแผ่นดินสมเด็จพระนารายณ์มหาราช) is organised in February every year to commemorate the good deeds of King Narai the Great to Lop Buri and the nation. Lop Buri was the second city during that period where the king preferred to stay for nearly throughout the year with an exception for the rainy season when he stayed in Ayutthaya. There are various activities in the fair such as light and sound presentation, a demonstration of Thai lifestyle, Wang Narai Night, Thai games by Thai kids (Chuk, Klae, Ko, Pia), local entertainment, and booths offering local products.

Lop Buri Monkey Banquet (งานเลี้ยงโต๊ะจีนลิง) is organised on Sunday during the last week of November at San Phra Kan and Phra Prang Sam Yot where a large number of monkeys stay. Tourists who come to pay respect to Chaopho Phra Kan usually bring food and fruit for the monkeys, making them more tame and familiar with people. In this event, there are various activities such as party offering food in especially beautiful decoration for monkeys and local performances, etc.

Lop Buri Sunflower Blooming Festival (งานทุ่งทานตะวันบานที่ลพบุรี) takes place around December of every year because it is the period when the sunflowers are in full bloom. At present, Lop Buri possesses hundred of thousands of rai of sunflowers. Before the harvest, the sunflowers will create a yellow field, being another splendid tourist attraction of Lop Buri.

Kam Fa Tradition (ประเพณีกำฟ้า) is a local merit making tradition of the Thai Phuan people, taken place in many villages in Mueang District, and Ban Mi District. It is organised to request for a blessing from gods who protect the sky so that it will rain during the rainy season. The 2nd day of the waxing moon in the 3rd lunar month is considered the eve and the next day is the Kam Fa Day. In the morning, people will give alms with Khao Lam - glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk in bamboo, and Khao Chi - roasted glutinous rice, while in the afternoon, there will be local games such as Mon Son Pha, Chuang Chai, Ma Bia, and Ma Kan Han.

Sai Krachat Tradition (ประเพณีใส่กระจาด) or called Suea Krachat tradition or “Soe Krachat” in Phuan language is a tradition of the Thai Phuan people that has been conducted in Ban Mi District. It takes place during the sermon on the Great Birth story. It is mostly organised during the End of Buddhist Lent (the 11th month) in the waning moon period. One day prior to the Sai Krachat Day, people will wrap Khao Tom – seasoned sticky rice in banana leaf - and grind rice for the Khao Pun – rice noodle. The next day is the Sai Krachat Day when people will bring things such as bananas, sugar cane, oranges, candles and joss sticks or other items to put into the bamboo baskets at the houses of the people they know, while the hosts will bring the prepared food to welcome their guests. When the visitors would like to go home, the host will give Khao Tom Mat as a souvenir in return called “Khuen Krachat”. The next day will be the day of the Great Birth sermon. It is considered as a grand annual merit making event of the year.

Chak Phra Si An Tradition of Wat Lai or the Tradition of the Maitreya Bodhisattva Procession (ประเพณีชักพระศรีอาริย์ วัดไลย์ หรือประเพณีแห่พระศรีอาริย์) has been conducted for a long period of time on the 14th day of the waxing moon during the 6th lunar month every year. The temple will arrange the image of the Maitreya Bodhisattva to be enshrined on the Takhe – handcart - and let the people pull the image to the north. The starting point is Wat Lai to the end at Wat Thong Khung and back to Wat Lai. There are many people joining the procession. The procession will stop at some points for the faithful people to pour water onto and to pay respect to the image. There are also a dozen almshouses providing free food for the participants in the procession.