Travel calendar (March) – Malai Khao Tok Festival, Yasothon

        ​ On 1-5 March 2023, the field in front of the Mahachanachai District Office in Yasothon Province will host the Malai Khao Tok Festival. The tradition involves offering “khao tok” “popped rice” (similar to popcorn) to monks, and “malai” means making a garland of the rice after it is popped. 

        ​ The beautiful Khao Tok Malai procession will be released at a ceremony on 5 March at 2:00 p.m. to make offerings at Ho Kong Temple in Fa Yard Subdistrict of Mahachanachai District. The procession will be on display inside the event each day.

        ​ Visitors will get a chance to pop some rice and make malai themselves in demonstrations, and there will be a khao tok malai contest, a khao tok malai parade with light and sound performances, and plenty of opportunities to watch, taste, and buy OTOP products from the province are just some of the events that take place.

        ​ In the Mahachanachai District of Yasothon Province, popping unhusked rice over an open fire is a long-standing custom celebrated during the annual Malai Khao Tok Parade. Wrap it in a string of hope, determination, and fortitude, and present it to Ho Kong Temple and other local temples every year at the Makha Bucha Festival to be presented as an offering to the Buddha.

        ​ This project aims to promote tourism in the traditions of Mahachanachai District, Yasothon Province, and preserve the local culture and traditions that the people of Mahachanachai District have practiced and inherited over many years as an element of the local identity for future generations to learn about and be proud of.