Thailand Festivals and Events 2009-2010
October 2009
Land of Smiles Classic
Date: 28 Oct 2009 - 31 Oct 2009
Venue: Imperial Samrong Mall, Bangkok
Since the 1990s expatriate ice hockey players living in Bangkok have imported the sport they love. While Thailand's scorching temperatures and a game played on ice may seem a peculiar fit, ice hockey has grown immensely popular in the Kingdom. The "Land of Smiles Classic" tournament draws as many as 30 teams from 15 countries each year, and its popularity led to the launch of the “City of Angels Cup” to satisfy the demand of hockey players in Asia. Both tournaments continue to bring important tourism revenue into the Kingdom. The Thai-World Hockey League (TWHL) enters its seventh successful season in 2009-10 with more than 60 players, one-third of who are Thai nationals. The Thai National Team, meanwhile, travels the world to compete in international competitions and has impressed with their skill and speed. The rough-and-tumble winter sport of ice hockey has, ironically, found a home in the balmy Land of Smiles. 
The coolest sport on Earth takes center stage in Bangkok Oct. 28-31 as hundreds of ice hockey players from around the world square off in the "Land of Smiles Classic" tournament. Twenty-five teams from 15 countries take to the ice at Imperial Samrong Mall 5th Floor in Asia's biggest ice hockey extravaganza. High-flying, hard-hitting action has enthralled spectators in the Thai capital for 15 years. The tournament continues to bring important tourism revenue into the Kingdom, while raising hundreds of thousands of baht for impoverished children. The rough-and-tumble winter sport of ice hockey has, ironically, found a home in the balmy Land of Smiles.
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Sakon Nakhon Wax Castle Festival
Date: 1 - 4 October 2009
Venue: Sanam Ming Mueang, Suan Somdej Phra Srinagarindra, Sakon Nakhon
One of the biggest events in the Ok Phansa Day (The end of Buddhist Lent), the assemble of the wonderful wax castles which are created from the talent artists in the province. Experience the magnificent Wax Castle Procession and feast your eyes on the wonderful tradition of Sakon Nakhon people.
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Buffalo Racing
Date: 28 Sep 2009 - 4 Oct 2009
Venue: Chonburi
You could be forgiven for thinking that a domesticated buffalo is not built for sprinting, but in Chonburi town, the gateway to resorts along the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, farmers have managed to tweak a turn of speed from these working animals that is nothing short of amazing.
The annual Buffalo races, 28 September - 4 October 2009, are a hotly contested series of sprints across on an open space in front of the town’s municipal offices.
Tourists and the town’s residents turn out for these amazing races that have been featured in the past on CNN and the BBC as a must-see event.
The races are taken very seriously by the owners of the buffaloes. Prizes for the first nose past the finishing line guarantee owners go to considerable lengths to ensure their buffaloes are in tip-top condition.
Clouds of dust rise as these hefty animals pound down the short course at an alarming speed, reminiscent of a stampede. The crowd roars in support of the favourites and the atmosphere is as an enthralling as watching thoroughbred race horses.
Admittedly, mites slower than a race horse, but the buffaloes are no slouches when it comes to making a short dash for glory.
Although this day of fun and competition would succeed with just the buffaloes as the celebrities, there are other activities to make it a worthwhile outing for families.
A fair with food stalls and handicrafts appeals to visitors who love authentic Thai food, snacks and sweets. Then there are the rides for children, concerts of folk music and, of course, a beauty contest where the prize is the honour of being declared Miss Buffalo.
Not exactly the most adhering of titles for an aspiring beauty queen, but it does not seem to deter contestants from seeking the limelight of the catwalk.
Here is a festival that provides photo opportunities to capture an unusual adaptation of the 100-metre dash. Well worth seeing, is always the conclusion of those who make the effort to travel to Chonburi.
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Bang Fai Phaya Nak (Naga Fireball)
Date: 4 Oct 2009 - 5 Oct 2009
Venue: Nong Khai
This extraordinary miracle always occurs at the beginning of the full moon night in the eleventh lunar month (End of Buddhist Lent). It can be seen along the Mekong River in the districts of Mueang, Phon Phisai, Pak Khat, Bung Kan, Tha Bo, Si Chiang Mai and Sangkhom. Bang Fai Phaya Nak is a term used for red and pinkish fire balls, which according to belief, belong to Phaya Nak or the great serpent of the underwater world. On the day marking the End of Buddhist Lent, a great number of people come to witness this phenomenon.
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Tak Bat Devo Festival
Date: 5 October 2009
Venue: Wat Sangkat Rattana Khiri, Uthai Thani Province
The traditional of "Tak Bat Devo" was derived from the word "Devorohana" which means the return of Lord Buddha from Heaven to Earth. According to a Buddhist myth, after Lord Buddha had proclaimed his doctrines and sermoned his father and relatives, he recollected his mother who died after giving birth to him and was born again in Heaven.
In hie 7th lent’ he went up to heaven to deliver a sermon to his mother the entire period of the Rains Retreat (3 months). At the end of the Rains Retreat (Ok Phansa Day) which falls on the first day of the wanning moon of the eleventh lunar month, Lord Buddha then returned to earth and was greeted by a crawd of hid disciples and Buddhist believers who were waiting to offer him food.
To commemorate this event at the end of the annual Buddhist Rains Retreat, Uthai Thani Buddhist believers proudly organize the "Tak Bat Devo" Festival as ana annual tradition at Wat Sangkat Rattana Khiri at the top of Sakaekrang mountain. Almost being the only festival in Thailand with the same atmosphere as in the Buddhist myth. It attracts the large inf;ux of believers from all over the country to participate.
In addition, there are still more local art, culture and tradition, and various tourist attractions in Uthai Thani waiting for visitors to experience.
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Phuket Vegetarian Festival
Date: 17 – 26 October 2009
Venue: Various Chinese shrines, Mueang District, Phuket
This famous festival is held from 17 to 26 October, at various Chinese temples and shrines in Phuket town.
No one is quite sure about the origins of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, but historians reckon it was started by the Chinese community about 150 years ago. One matter is beyond doubt it is one of the most spectacular of all the vegetarian festivals held in Thailand. 
The nine-day festival runs from 17 to 26 October and its roots are firmly embedded in the Chinese community's belief that abstinence from meat and various stimulants during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar is good for body and soul.
Apart from adhering to a strict vegetarian, diet those who join the festival make offerings to the Nine Emperor Gods to to secure a year of health.
Always held on the first days of the ninth Chinese lunar month, and for nine days it exerts a serious commitment from those who participate.
They use the festival to gain cleanliness of the body through a vegetarian diet, dressing in white and abstaining from all pleasures including the consumption of alcohol and sex.
Crowds are attracted to the Phuket festival because it continues to display traditional practices that have largely disappeared in cities where the Chinese communities embrace a vegetarian diet, but little else of the ancient customs.
In Phuket town, visitors watch in awe at fire walking, body piercing and other acts of self mortification, some of the feats quite scary.
Men and women puncture their cheeks with various sharp objects, believing the Chinese gods will protect them from harm. This festival is not for the feint hearted.
There are six Chinese temples in Phuket town, but the main site is the Jui Tui Shrine, not far from the fresh food market. The traditional raising of a 10-metre high lantern pole signals the start of the festival. Celebrants believe that the Hindu god, Shiva, descends bringing spiritual power to the venue.
Apart from the spectacular and sometimes shocking displays of self mortification, there are handy escape routes to the roadside food stalls laden with an astonishing variety of vegetarian dishes.
At a glance they look like chicken or red meat dishes, such is the art of vegetarian cooking these days. Well worth a visit while on holiday in Phuket.
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