Thread: Asahabucha Day and upcoming Buddhist Lent period.

This year's Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival is hoping to amaze people with elaborately carved wax candles of various shapes and sizes created by local craftsmen and international artists.

The festival, held annually to mark the start of Buddhist Lent, will this year also feature a one-month-long programme of activities and an exhibition ending on Tuesday to celebrate His Majesty the King's 80th birthday.

Special carvings created by famous sculptors from Finland, Ukraine, Japan, Portugal, Italy, France, Germany and Thailand have added an international flavour to this year's event.

Their works, which are on display in the Ubon Ratchathani National Museum, tell of the King's great contributions to the well being of his subjects.

The age-old festival highlights the skills of local artisans and their religious devotion. Raywat Deekew, a Thai artist, created his carving under the concept of national unity.

To mark the King's 80th birthday, several temples are also creating specially-designed carvings. Some temples have spent around 500,000-700,000 baht on each carving. A total of 80 wax carvings will join the candle procession parade in the province on Monday.

In Buntharik district, a 15-metre-high carving, weighing over 13 tonnes, is being made. The production cost is around 700,000 baht. Four teams of craftsmen have been employed to create the gigantic candle. The candles will be carved into an image of Phra Mahachanok, a great king who took good care of his subjects. Phra Mahachanok is a main character in a book penned by the King.

Bangkok Post