Festivals
Phon Beating Festival This
is a famous festival of the province. This popular Buddhist tradition is held
at the end of the Buddhist Lent when people have a Buddha image procession by
land or water. Phatthalung normally has a land procession accompanied by drums
to give the procession a good rhythm. When a procession from one temple passes
another temple, the procession participants will challenge the temple people to
come out and see who can beat drums to give the best rhythm. This tradition has
evolved to become a grand festival of Phatthalung. It is held every October. Processions
will go take Buddha images throughout Phatthalung city. The festival is held at
Phatthalung Provincial Stadium and Saen Suk Lam Pam beach in Amphoe Muang. Activities
of the festival include drum competitions of temples in the province, dramatic
arts, boat procession contest, folk plays, religious ceremonies, water sports
on Lam Pam Lake such as boat races and water boxing, exhibitions, and arts and
culture demonstrations of Phatthalung and nearby provinces like reed mat making
and coconut shell products. Thale Noi Bird Watching Festival This
festival was first held in 1998 as a special activity to mark the Amazing Thailand
project and promote the most important tourist destination of Phatthalung. The
festival consists of eco-tourism activities lasting 1 month (14 February-15 March)
when there are plenty of birds and Thale Noi is at its most beautiful. The festival
takes place in the Thale Noi Non-hunting area. Daily activities include boating
on long-tailed boats to observe flora and fauna, local performances, agricultural
produce for sale, demonstrations of native life, and an assortment of local products
for sale. |
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