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event, when a procession takes place. On the 8 th features a spectacular
procession of ordination candidates in colourful costumes on the
backs of some 20-30 decorated elephants. The ordination ceremony
includes head shaving, bathing, and dressing up candidates, as well
as, elephants. The procession is held around the village and the Si
Satchanalai District O�ce, Tel: 0 5567 1466.
Songkran and Mueang Sawankhalok Festival �����������
������������������������������� This takes place during 11-15 April
annually on the bank of the Yom River, in front of Wat Sawang Arom,
by the Yom River, and at the Stadium of the Sawankhalok Municipal
School. The procession of Miss Songkran, the Sawankhalok Food
Festival, ceremonies of giving alms to monks, and bathing rituals for
Buddha images and monks are performed in the festival.
Songkran Festival �����������������������������������������������An
annual celebration of the Thai New Year is held during 12 - 13 April at Si
Satchanalai Historical Park, Amphoe Si Satchanalai; this festival carries
forward Sukhothai’s tradition. It was mentioned in the famous stone
inscription “The Sukhothai people are generous, abide by precepts,
and always give charity”, which is believed to be inscribed during the
reign of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great of the Sukhothai Kingdom.
The highlights of the event include the elephant procession, o�ering
rituals to pay respect to Phra Suea Mueang, the tutelary spirit, and kings
from the Phra Ruang Dynasty, Miss Songkran beauty queen contest,
local sport competitions, and cultural performances.
Hae Nam Khuen Hong Festival ��������������������������
This
is organized annually during 18 – 19 April at the plaza of Chaopho
Mueang Dong Monument, Tambon Ban Tuek, Amphoe Si Satchanalai.
The ceremony is held to honour “Muen Nakhon” or “Chaopho Mueang
Dong”, the establisher of Dong City. He was talented and courageous,
as well as, specialized in catching elephants and utilising them in
war. Later, he was executed to prove his loyalty to King Tilokkarat.
Then, the villagers organized a ceremony to pay homage to Chaopho
Mueang Dong by preparing a more-than-50-elephant parade wonder-
fully decorated, passing the village to pay respect to the shrine of
Chaopho Khao Mung, and onward to the plaza of Chaopho Mueang
Dong Monument to pay homage to Chaopho Mueang Dong. For
more information contact, the Ban Tuek Sub-district Administration
Organization, Tel: 0 5567 7200.