If you know anything about Thailand, then you will be well aware that festivals play a major in the lives of the local Thai people, and in October there is a festival that does not normally get much press, or noticed by visitors, called Oogpansa Festival.
This festival is the Buddhist Lent Day, which falls on the 15th day of the 11th lunar month (October). From a westerners perspective, unless they practice Buddhism, there is not a great deal to the festival but for those of us that are married to Thai ladies, we are normally made aware of such an event, no matter how small or insignificant it may appear.
For us, it is little more than releasing a few 'Chinese' Lanterns in to the night sky and letting the breeze blow them to wherever they end up
This festival is the Buddhist Lent Day, which falls on the 15th day of the 11th lunar month (October). From a westerners perspective, unless they practice Buddhism, there is not a great deal to the festival but for those of us that are married to Thai ladies, we are normally made aware of such an event, no matter how small or insignificant it may appear.
For us, it is little more than releasing a few 'Chinese' Lanterns in to the night sky and letting the breeze blow them to wherever they end up
However, for the Buddhist monks, this festival signals the end of a three month period, where they are restricted in their movement around the country, being confined to a temple during the hours of darkness. Exactly what the purpose of this is, I have not been able to discover so far, but it appears to be simply a method of control of the monks during the traditional rice growing season.
As I understand it, monks like to wander off to find a secluded location to sleep, relax and be at one with the world, but during the three months 'Lent' period from July to October, they are not permitted to do this. Some of the monks use this time to study and refresh their knowledge of Buddhism, but this is not something that must be undertaken during this period. The act of being confined to temples I guess is a form of discipline of the Buddhist clergy, not too dissimilar from that in the Christian Faith, where Lent is often seen as a time to not eat certain food-stuffs (chocolate being a prime example for many) for the three month period.
As I understand it, monks like to wander off to find a secluded location to sleep, relax and be at one with the world, but during the three months 'Lent' period from July to October, they are not permitted to do this. Some of the monks use this time to study and refresh their knowledge of Buddhism, but this is not something that must be undertaken during this period. The act of being confined to temples I guess is a form of discipline of the Buddhist clergy, not too dissimilar from that in the Christian Faith, where Lent is often seen as a time to not eat certain food-stuffs (chocolate being a prime example for many) for the three month period.
The lanterns are made from a very lightweight paper which is opaque and not quite transparent. The material is traditionally oiled rice paper, and it looks like it may well be that. At the base of the lantern is a circular, wax-based fuel source which is ignited. We normally light it in four places to get it going, otherwise it can take some time before it fully catches alight. It is then a case of waiting for the inside of the lantern to reach the right temperature to raise in to the air on it's own. This will typically take 2 or 3 minutes but sometimes feels longer. When hot enough and released, it goes up, catches the breeze and drifts off for several miles until it burns out and crashed to the ground many kilometers away.
The lanterns are also used for the Loy Krathong Festival in November, and again on 31st December to celebrate the New Year, and it as at these times you are likely to see hundreds of these filling the sky around Udon Thani at midnight and the New Year begins.
These Chinese Lanterns are normally freely available in local shops from late September through to the end of December for about 10 baht each, however if you buy them from a vendor where a festival celebration is taking place, you are likely to see the price soar to about 50 baht each - now that's what I call enterprise! (or should that 'a rip-off?).
The lanterns are also used for the Loy Krathong Festival in November, and again on 31st December to celebrate the New Year, and it as at these times you are likely to see hundreds of these filling the sky around Udon Thani at midnight and the New Year begins.
These Chinese Lanterns are normally freely available in local shops from late September through to the end of December for about 10 baht each, however if you buy them from a vendor where a festival celebration is taking place, you are likely to see the price soar to about 50 baht each - now that's what I call enterprise! (or should that 'a rip-off?).