Buddha Image Procession and Boat Race Festival

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Schedule : 22 October 2002

Venue : Amphoe Lang Suan, Chum Phon

Origin :
Most of the residents of Mae Hong Son Province are Thai Yai people who are Buddhists. They attach great importance to religious ceremonies. Poi Loen Sip Et is one tradition that is celebrated in grand style. It is an interesting mixture of Thai and Thai Yai cultures. The highlight of this festival at the end of the Buddhist Lent is the "Chong Phara" procession or "Prasat Rap Sadet Phra Phutthachao" (castle for receiving Lord Buddha).

Activities :
- Land Buddha image boat procession.
- Tak Bat Thewo merit making and monk robes ceremony.
- Procession bearing the plaque from His Majesty, water parade and procession contest.
- Long boat race and assorted entertainment.

Nearby Tourist Spots :
- Khao Ngoen Cave (Lang Suan)
	is similar to a hall with a hole in the roof. There are initials of King Rama V on the cave wall. In front of the cave is a pagoda built by the order of King Rama V when he visited the district.
- Khao Kiap Cave (Lang Suan)
	is the location of Khao Kiap Cave Monastery at the foot of the mountain. Inside the cave are beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. The most important object here is a Buddha image that is said to have emerged from underground.
- Sai Ri Cave (Muang)
	is a clean white beach. Of note here is the memorial to Admiral Prince Chumphon Khetudomsak, the founder of the Royal Thai Navy.
- Thung Wua Laen Beach (Pathew)
	is a famous beach of Chumphon. This is a long and clean beach. An underwater rock ridge lines the beach, making it one of the most popular diving sites.
- Wat Phra That Tham Khwan Muang (Sawi)
	is a temple of the Thammayut sect. The compound is shady with many trees and there is a pagoda housing the holy ashes of Lord Budhha on the peak.

For more information, contact :
- Lang Suan District Education Office.
	Tel. (077) 541222
- TAT Southern Region Office: Area 5 (Surat Thani).
	Tel. (044) 213666, 213030, fax (044) 213667