AWAY
THANIN WEERADET
The annual Phi Ta Khon Festival is scheduled July 4-6. During the festival Loei residents don ghost masks and parade downtown before converging at Wat Phon Chai in Dan Sai district of the province in a celebration that is a re-enactment of Vessandra's, reincarnation of Lord Buddha in his previous life, return to his palace after a long exile in forest, and to pray for abundant rainfall.
At the heart of the festival are Ngan Bun Luang merit-making rites - Ngan Bun Prawes (marking the fourth lunar month) and Ngam Bun Bangfai (the sixth lunar month).
This is a festival unique to Dan Sai and its residents and the dance procession an expression of their artistic intent. According to Thai mythology, both his subjects and the spirits celebrated Vessandra's return from exile by dancing in the streets.
Also on the cards are a contest involving ghost masks, cultural performances, sale of local goods and handicraft, and Boek Phra Upakut and Bai Si religious rites, etc.
For details, call Loei's tourist coordination centre at 042-812-812, 042-811-405.
Fruit season in Si Sa Ket
Si Sa Ket, a lower northeastern province, appeals to tourists for several reasons. One of them are the fruit orchards at the foot of Phanom Dongrak mountain range. Rambutan and durian grown here are of high quality on par with those produced in Rayong, Trat and Chanthaburi.
Two orchards in Kantharalak district - Ban Sam Tarom and Thosapol - welcome visitors. The latter is also an agricultural study centre. Thosapol Orchards can be reached at 083-797-8856, 086-652-5558. For travel information, call the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani office at 045-243-770.
Siam Society study tour
Siam Society has announced day-long study trips visiting museums, art collections, institutions and foundations that provide information relating to various aspects of Thai art and culture.
The first of these trips is scheduled July 30 when the museums to be visited are all in Bangkok: Bangkok Insurance Museum, Bank of Thailand Museum, and Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum at Bangkok University.
The travel party will leave Siam Society by bus at 9:30am and return at 6:30pm. Members of Siam Society will be required to make a contribution of 1,250 baht per head to cover transportation, lunch and other costs during the trip. Non-members will be charged an extra 500 baht.
For further information and bookings, contact Khun Prasert at 02-661-6470 to7 or fax 02-258-3491 during 9am-5pm Tuesday through Saturday, or email: info@siam-society.org; web site: http://www.siam-society.org.
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