Wan Lai Festival(ประเพณีวันไหล) is a Chon Buri merit making day of the seamen on the Thai New Year during the Songkran Festival , organized during 13-20 April every year. There is alms-offering to the monks, ceremony of pouring water onto the Buddha's image, sand pagoda making,splashing water and local games and sports in Chon Buri. The areas where the Wan Lai Festival is organized are as follows:
Pattaya-Na Kluea Wan Lai Festival and Na Kluea Kong Khao Fair (งานประเพณีวันไหลพัทยา-นาเกลือ และงานกองข้าวนาเกลือ) are organized on 18-20 April every year at Lan Pho Public Park, Na kluea and Wat Chai Mongkhon in South Pattaya. Various activities are organized such as a water pouring ceremony to seek blessing from the elderly, Wan Lai procession and amusing water splashing among locals and tourists.
Songkran Si Maha Racha Festival and Kong Khao Tradition (งานประเพณีสงกรานต์ศรีมหาราชาและงานประเพณีกองข้าว) is an ancient festival of the Chon Buri locals. At present, Si Racha District still preserves this tradition and organizes it every year, during 19-21 April, to worship the gods who have been protecting them throughout the year. Activities comprise of the procession led by the elderly and various organizations in traditional thai costume, a worship ceremony, spirit offering ceremony, Kong Khao tradition demonstration, local games, demonstrations, and sales of traditional desserts and local food.
Ko Phra Sai Wan Lai Festival, Bang Saen(งานประเพณีก่อพระทรายวันไหล บางแสน) is the festival which has been conducted by the Saen Suk people from the past. Originally, it was called "Ngan Thambun Wan Lai" , a gathering of people from various villages to do the metri making in the Songkran Festival or the Thai New Year Day, taking place on 16-17 April, every year. Monks from every temple in Saen Suk Sub-district are invited to perform the religious ceremony. There is merit making, food offering and bathing ceremony. Later, there are activities of sand pagoda making, water splashing, local games and sports,etc.
Chon Buri Buffalow Race (งานประเพณีวิ่งควาย) This is a long-established celebration of this most useful animal of thai farmers. A fun-filled event, it is held not only in Chon Buri itself but also in Ban Bueng and Nong Yai districts. The beasts of burden are dressed outrageously or with admirable creativity by owners depending on their imagination. Assembled in the courtyard in front of the town hall, the buffaloes partake in racing, or take part in physical fitness and "fashion" contests.
Songkran Si Maha Racha Festival and Kong Khao Tradition (งานประเพณีสงกรานต์ศรีมหาราชาและงานประเพณีกองข้าว) is an ancient festival of the Chon Buri locals. At present, Si Racha District still preserves this tradition and organizes it every year, during 19-21 April, to worship the gods who have been protecting them throughout the year. Activities comprise of the procession led by the elderly and various organizations in traditional thai costume, a worship ceremony, spirit offering ceremony, Kong Khao tradition demonstration, local games, demonstrations, and sales of traditional desserts and local food.
Ko Phra Sai Wan Lai Festival, Bang Saen(งานประเพณีก่อพระทรายวันไหล บางแสน) is the festival which has been conducted by the Saen Suk people from the past. Originally, it was called "Ngan Thambun Wan Lai" , a gathering of people from various villages to do the metri making in the Songkran Festival or the Thai New Year Day, taking place on 16-17 April, every year. Monks from every temple in Saen Suk Sub-district are invited to perform the religious ceremony. There is merit making, food offering and bathing ceremony. Later, there are activities of sand pagoda making, water splashing, local games and sports,etc.
Chon Buri Buffalow Race (งานประเพณีวิ่งควาย) This is a long-established celebration of this most useful animal of thai farmers. A fun-filled event, it is held not only in Chon Buri itself but also in Ban Bueng and Nong Yai districts. The beasts of burden are dressed outrageously or with admirable creativity by owners depending on their imagination. Assembled in the courtyard in front of the town hall, the buffaloes partake in racing, or take part in physical fitness and "fashion" contests.
