Chonburi and Pattaya travel- festivals and events

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Chonburi Province Annual Festival
is an activity annually organised by the people of Chonburi since 1932. The Festival combines the festivals of venerating Puttha Sihing, Songkran and the Red Cross Fair together into one. It is held around the middle of April every year. The festivals?s activities include a procession for venerating Phra Puttha Sihing Buddha image, water pouring for the elders, folk games,?Khon? or classical masked-dances from the Department of Fine Arts, cultural performance, exhibitions and stalls.
The festival aims to conserve and promote local customs as well as to instill a sense of value for the cultural heritage.
Wan Lai Festival
The heat in Thailand intensifies once the month of April comes. People of old were wise enough to initiate the Songkran festival to cool themselves off from the heat and celebrate it as the Thai New Year. In the central region, the festival is usually held on the 13th-15th of April while in the east there is a difference as the water throwing activities commence on the 16th or 17th, 18th or 19th, known as ?Wan Lai? (Flowing Day).
Pattaya Festival
usually held at the middle of April to promote tourism and Pattaya's reputation. Floral floats are paraded along the streets. The Miss Pattaya beauty contest is held as well as traditional and aquatic sports competitions and construction of sand castles. A spectacular fireworks display takes place on the beach and fire crackers are also set off. Simultaneously, there are arts and cultural performances, exhibitions and souvenirs for sale.

Ancestral Spirits Ceremony Festival
is at Si Racha District. It is based on an old custom of the people of Chonburi only practiced now in Si Racha. It is held every year between April 19-21 on the grounds in front of Tambon Si Racha Municipal Office and on Ko Loy Si Racha. Activities comprise a parade by the elderly group and personnel from differrent government agencies, dressed in traditional folk costumes, ceremonies for the appeasement of the spirits, demonstration of Kong Khao or rice piling, folk games, demonstration and sales of local cuisine and delicacies.

Koh Pra Sai Wan Lai Festival
at Bangsaen is based on an ancient tradition practiced by generations of Tambon Saensuk residents, formerly called the Wan Lai Merit-Making Ceremony. Villagers from various places would gather to make merit for the Thai New Year(Songkran). Monks from every temple in Tambon Saensuk congregate to perform religious rites that start with merit-making and food-offering and the bathing of Buddha images. These are followed by other activities such as building sand stupas, water-throwing, games and folk sports.

Boon Klang Ban and Phanatnikhom Basketware Festival
is a festival that dates back several years ago usually taking place during the 3rd to the 6th month of the Thai lunar calendar. An elder or respected villager determines a day for merit making and the ridding of ill luck for the well-being of the people. The religious ceremonies are followed by the sharing of meals and performances of folk games.

Chonburi Buffalo Race
is an age-old tradition in the Province of Chonburi held annually on the 14th full moon night of the 11th lunar month which falls in October. Apart from the one held in Muang District of Chonburi Province, other races also take place at around the same time in Ban Bung and Nong Yai District.On the day of the festival, farmers will bring in their buffaloes draped attractively with multicoloured satin cloths, and gather on the lawns of the Provincial Hall.
Buffaloes are entered in races, and health plus best-decorated competitions. Young women also compete in a beauty contest where girls vie for the title of "Nong Nang Ban Na" farm maiden.