AWAY

The public and private sectors and local communities of Ubon Ratchathani are organising the chullakathin robe presentation ceremony from Nov 23-24 at Wat Chaimongkol, Muang district.

The annual festival for monkeys in Lop Buri takes place on Nov 25.

The aim is to revive the less popular tradition which reflects the love and unity of local people.

Chullakathin is a kind of robe presentation ceremony which requires the unity of many Buddhists to collect cotton blossoms, weave, sew, dye and present a set of saffron robes to a monk within one day.

According to ancient belief, chullakathin is a great way to make merit since it requires much more effort than an ordinary kathin ceremony. Nowadays, chullakathin takes place in the North and Northeast only and is called kathin laen in the northeastern dialect for being done in haste.

Wichukorn Kularbsri, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani office, said this is an opportunity for tourists and interested persons to make merit, learn how to prepare chullakathin, join local activities and enjoy cultural performances.

The activities include exhibitions on robe making and rice processing, local games like kratai kha diew and bukkinglor, local music and folk tales, ram phi thai phi thaen dance, nang pramothai puppet show and dhamma-chanting contest, a baisri or banana leaf decoration contest, three sermons and alms-giving to 109 monks.

After the ceremony, visitors can also visit other attractions such as Pha Taem National Park, the town of Khong Chiam and Samphan Bok-Ban Pha Chan and Chong Mek.

For more information, contact the TAT's Ubon Ratchathani office on 045-243-770 or visit www.tatubon.org.

Feast for monkeys

Lop Buri province proudly presents the annual feast for monkeys in and around Phra Kan Shrine and Phra Prang Sam Yod in Muang district on Nov 25. The first round will begin at 10am and the second round at noon, both near the Phra Prang Sam Yod Khmer monument.

The feast has been held annually since 1992 when the Kitwattananuson family gave offerings to Chao Phor Phra Kan for using a monkey as a logo for their Lop Buri Inn Hotel. Lop Buri province has many tourist attractions and several interesting festivals. Muang district boasts Phra Narai Ratchaniwet Palace, Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat, Phra Kan Shrine and Khmer sanctuaries _ Prang Khaek and Prang Sam Yod.

The people of Lop Buri believe the monkeys around the two sanctuaries are Chao Phor Phra Kan's followers. People can also visit nearby tourist spots and the blooming sunflower fields in Pattana Nikhom district. For more information, contact the TAT's Lop Buri Office on 036-770-096/7 or visit www.tat7.com.

Two fests in Trat

The Trat will host two festivals later this month and early next month.

The Miracle of the Westernmost Islands Festival on Nov 23-25 marks the start of the tourist season on Koh Kood, Koh Mak, Moo Koh Rang and Koh Kradad.

And the 10th King Mackerel Fishing Contest as well as beach cleaning will take place off Trat's major islands during Dec 7-9.

Both festivals are aimed at promoting eco-tourism, conservation activities and the province's Green City policy. A package tour to various attractions of Trat during Nov 23-25 is available for 3,999 baht (twin sharing) per person. For more information, contact the TAT's Trat Office on 039-597-259/60 or via tattrat@tat.or.th, or call 1672.

Any comments or news to share, email pichayas@bangkokpost.co.th.