Phetchabun Bathing Buddha Ceremony.

Before I start I just want to say this, I only took a few of these pics as I said to the wife "You take the camera and take a few pics" as I was working. So heres Mrs M's take of the bathing Buddha ceremony.

This happens over 3 or 4 days so the first night she went to the street fair that goes with it, fun time for the kids.

The usual stuff you get at most fairs as you can see carousels and the like.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...rmal_rides.jpg


Being a bit of a dart player I usually head for these stalls. Theres a few of them around which is good as they don't like you to win too much, especially when you're a farang who can actually throw a dart without killing any of the workers on the stand. My motto win one then move on.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...al_ballons.jpg


Theres quite a lot of stuff on sale like cute likkle bunny wabbits

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...nnywabbits.jpg


These ones are killer rabbits like on Monty Python and the Holy Grail hence the prison cells. Dont let the cutesy clothes fool you, they wear different colours depending on the street gangs they used to run with..

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...nywabbits2.jpg

Being Thailand every other stall is a food stall. Plenty of stuff like these yummy looking donuts, I didnt have any as theyre usually disappointing

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...mal_donuts.jpg

My favourite cold drink at these places are either these

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u..._greencoco.jpg


Or these coconuts.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u..._burntcoco.jpg


Fireworks go off at every now and then, not the easiest thing to get a photo of. Better than Ive ever done with them anyway.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u..._fireworks.jpg


Some creepy Mickey Mouse lanterns to scare the pants of your kids with in a dark room

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...rmal_lamps.jpg


Plants and stuff for anyone with green fingers or over 50 years old.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...plantstall.jpg

I havent got a clue as to this part is, it could be some sort of ceremony or more likely just a show of some sort.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u..._nightboat.jpg


More boat related shenanigans

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...tboat2%7E0.jpg


And something going off on the bank of the river

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...mal_people.jpg

Thats all for now as Im waiting for the camera to come back.

Ive just found out that the festival runs from 23-1 so it finished today, quite a long one.

In the daytime theres the usual foodstalls and whatnot along with boat racing. Whrn my Mrs told me I got all excited as I thought they might be the little ones with massive engines on the back. Sadly they were human powered.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...atsmoored2.jpg


Despite looking like the middle of winer it was a very hot day. Some of the racers chose to cool off in the water, rather them than me.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...coolingoff.jpg



There are plenty of races as I guess Moo Baans have a team each ifthey can get one together. I think the course is about 100metres long by the looks.
A quick practice run

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...racticerun.jpg


Then on to the racing bit.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...rmal_race1.jpg


Ive no idea what the ribbons are for, maybe to mop up the bits if anyone gets whacked by one in transit

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...al_ribbons.jpg




The whole festival is because of this ceremony, the bathing of the buddha which takes place in front of Phetchabun City hall in front of Traipoom and Botchanamarn temple.
The procession of Phetchabun’s Buddha image called Praputtamahathammaracha heads to be bathed in the Pasak River.


https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u..._poncedpic.jpg


In true journalistic fashion I had to ponce this image from the net as its impossible to get near for a photo.


The festival ends today (1st Oct) with more food beer and rides for the kids.