Thailand Travel

The Ubon Ratchathani candle festival welcomes the arrival of the Buddhist Lent

Ubon Ratchathani province in Northeastern Thailand honours Buddhist Lent with a showcase of exquisitely carved candles representing the royal Supannahong boat and mythical Thai gods and goddesses.

The year the festival, which runs from July 18 to 22, commemorates 50 years of royal patronage.

Visitors can also go to Wat Thung Si Muang and other temples in the heart of Ubon Ratchathani town to see the sacred rituals practised on the occasion of the Buddhist Lent.

Local communities start making candles a few days prior to the parade day, which this year will be held on July 22.

The candles are later displayed in Wat Thung Si Muang's grounds as part of the carved candle competition and more than 50 candles are expected to be entered in this year's competition.

"It's the greatest candle exhibition in Thailand," says Yotin Cholatharn, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Northeastern office.

The highlight of the festival is the parade, which gets going around 9am and includes dance and music. The parade passes major landmarks in the town and can be watched from a special stand in front of the provincial hall. Seats cost Bt200.

Several other activities are planned and include a Miss Candle beauty contest on July 20.

On the nights of July 21 and 22 visitors can learn about town's history and the tradition of candle making.

"One Tambon One Product" (Otop) goods, featuring a variety of fine handicrafts, will be on sale throughout the festival.

Two additional activities have been incorporated this year. The first is a competition of the best photographs taken during the festival.

The other is a candle design contest for adolescents, which will take place on July 20 and 21.

"We hope it will encourages Thai youngsters to continue the tradition of carving candles," says Yotin.

There is also plenty to see in the surrounding countryside. "Tourists usually spend two to three days here during the festival.

They arrive in town on the morning of the candle parade day and later visit the Pha Taem National Park and the province's renowned temples," says Yotin.

"Sometimes, they also make a short day-trip to Champasak in Laos. Ubon Ratchathani is a stop-over for tourists who wish to experience the beauty of the two lands bordering the Mekong River."

Of the large number of tourists visiting Ubon Ratchathani each year during the candle festival, about 95 per cent are Thais. According to TAT records, the festival is a big major earner for the province, with each tourist spending around Bt2,000 during the visit.