Ayutthaya Aquatic Phansa Schedule (July 27)
The Lat Chado community has settled along the banks of Khlong Lat Chado since ancient times, and a great bond with canal water has developed in their daily life, as evident from the boat that can be seen underneath every house. Khlong Lat Chado used to be a major channel of transportation to take the people everywhere including to make merit at the temple on important religious days, which gave rise to the Aquatic Phansa Festival. This local and unique waterborne candle procession has been observed and inherited from the past until present. This year, the Lat Chado Subdistrict Minicipality has scheduled for the 9th Aquatic Phansa Festival to take place at Khlong Lat Chado, Amphoe Phak Hai, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, on the full moon day of the 8th lunar month or Asalha Puja Day, which falls on Friday, 27 July, 2018. The Asalha Puja Day is another important religious day in Buddhism, which commemorates a day of 4 significant occurrences in the time of the Lord Buddha; namely,
- The First Sermon given to the 5 ascetics by the Lord Buddha, which marked the discourse of setting in motion of the Wheel of the Doctrine.
- The emergence of the Lord Buddha’s First Disciple, Annakondanna.
- The emergence of the First Monk, Annakondanna, who attained the first stage of holiness and became ordained.
- The first completion of the Triple Gem: Buddha – the Enlightened One, Dhamma – the Doctrine, and Sangkha – the Order.
For Buddhists, Asalha Puja is a significant occasion for them to perform worship in the
forms of both material things and practice. In practising, they will be required to follow the Middle Path, through the Noble Eightfold Path, which can be simplified as the practice of Morality, Concentration, and Wisdom. The Asalha Puja precedes the Buddhist Rains Retreat during which Buddhists go to the temple in their community to make merit, listen to Dhamma preaching, and offer candles and rains-cloths for monks to use during the 3-month period. This is a long-inherited tradition.
Visitors to the Festival will have a chance to experience the canalside way of life, various aspects of Thainess and local culture that has been preserved along the waterway, folk fishing with a Yo fish trap, verdant rice fields, and particularly, a waterborne procession of colourfully decorated candle boats, canalside garden home contest, folk games competition, photo exhibition of the Lat Chado way of life, retro market atmosphere, and various forms of entertainment.
According to Mr. Kreangsak Pimpandee, Mayor of Lat Chado Subdistrict Municipality, this is the 9th year of the Aquatic Phansa Festival at Lat Chado Canal. Interested visitors are invited to experience this unique waterborne festival, partake in the preservation of Thai tradition and culture, trace the glorious past of this community that still maintains its beautiful canalside lifestyle, enjoy the procession of candle boats, contest, sports competition, and several other activities.
Mr. Essarapong Tansiri, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Office, revealed that the Festival has been publicised through various media channels and both Thai and foreign visitors are expected to join this annual event. Visitors may also visit other temples in the province to make merit on Asalha Puja Day.
Schedule of Aquatic Phansa in Ayutthaya
Programme “9th Aquatic Phansa Festival at Lat Chado Canal”
Khlong Lat Chado, Amphoe Phak Hai, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
Friday, 27 July, 2018
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08.00 – 09.00 Hrs. – Registration of all boats at the Lat Chado Canal (in front of the
Lat Chado Market).
09.00 – 09.30 Hrs. – Local boat songs and performances by each of the boats in jovial
ambience.
10.39 Hrs. – Opening Ceremony of the “9th Aquatic Phansa Festival at the
Lat Chado Canal.”
11.00 Hrs. – The boats sail along the canal past the communities on the canal
banks, and the Lat Chado Chinese Shrine landmark where photos of
the boat procession can be taken.
11.20 Hrs. – The boat procession makes a U-turn and resumes its course from
Aunt Linchi Khrutthaphan’s house to pass the landmark again.
12.00 – 12.30 Hrs. – The boat procession floats past the Lat Chado Market once again for
tourists to capture impressive moments.
12.30 Hrs. – The candles are taken out of the boats to be given as offerings to
Wat Lat Chado.
13.30 Hrs. – Competition of Lat Chado local games.
Note: The programme is subject to change as appropriate.
