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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.

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