Buriram Festivals and Events

Festivals and Events

Aside from important religious days, Songkran Day, and New Year’s Day, Buri Ram also has other local festivals such as festival of the 5th lunar month when the locals would make merit, bathe Buddha images and senior people, perform traditional sports such as Saba, tug of war, etc. In some areas like Amphoe Phutthaisong, there is the Bang Fai traditional rocket dance, Khao Phansa (the Beginning of Buddhist Lent), and Loi Krathong in the 12th lunar month. Some of the local festivals include:

Phrachao Yai Wat Hong Homage–paying Fair (งานนมัสการพระเจ้าใหญ่วัดหงษ์):

Held in Amphoe Phutthaisong during the 14th day of the waxing moon to the 1st day of the waning moon in the 3rd lunar month of every year. It is a fair to pay homage and put the gold leaves on the Phrachao Yai – a highly revered Buddha image of Buri Ram people. The event lasts for 3 days with numerous merit-making ceremonies and fun-filled activities.

Buddha’s Footprint Homage–paying Fair (งานนมัสการรอยพระพุทธบาทจำลอง):

The event takes place at Khao Kradong, Amphoe Mueang, on the full moon day of the 3rd lunar month. A large number of local people would go to pay homage to the replica of the Buddha’s footprint and Phra Suphattharabophit image and enjoy the big celebration.

Phanom Rung Fair (งานประเพณีขึ้นเขาพนมรุ้ง):

Phanom Rung Sanctuary was once a sacred Hindu shrine which was later changed into a religious site for Buddhism. During the time it was deserted, a replica of the Buddha’s footprint was taken to be enshrined at Prang Noi. It has become a tradition for local people to ascend to the mountaintop to pay respect to the Buddha’s footprint and put gold leaf on it. Every year, on the full moon day of the 5th lunar month, there is an annual festival to pay respect to the site. Because Phanom Rung is a beautiful and important historical site, the province also organizes an annual festival on the first weekends of April when there will be a colourful parade following ancient royal Khmer tradition, as well as a light-and-sound show at Phanom Rung Sanctuary.

Buri Ram Long Boat Races (ประเพณีแข่งเรือยาวจังหวัดบุรีรัมย์):

It is organized annually on the first weekend of November when the Mun River is high. Oarsmen from Buri Ram and other nearby provinces would gather to join the boat racing which is held in front of Amphoe Satuek’s District Office. Each year, there are about 40 - 50 boats joining the competition. There is also a parade of fancy decorated boats during the event. Boat racing was once a traditional festival celebrated among friends and relatives so to pay homage to Chaopho Wang Krut, a spirit named after a whirlpool in the Mun River. Since 1986, it has become a festival of the province.

Isan Kite Festival (งานมหกรรมว่าวอีสานบุรีรัมย์):

Held annually at the sports stadium in Amphoe Huai Rat on the first weekend of December, or during the harvest season when the cold northeastern wind blows. At this time of the year, local people would make ‘aek’ kite – a traditional kite of the northeastern people. Buri Ram province organized the first Isan Kite Festival in 1986 so to conserve and publicize the local tradition of the Lower Northeast. There is also a kite competition among the locals who come from every district and village around there. A kite to enter the competition must be more than 2.5 metres wide and would be judged by its beautiful design, sound of ‘aek’ – a sound–making device attached to the kite, and the way it floats in the sky. There are also colourful kite parades, folk performances, shows, and booth display of local products during the event.