January travel events calendar: Kwan Phayao - River of Life between 5 - 6 January 2023.

Kwan Phayao - River of Life, Than Khao Thip and Phra Chao Ton Luang will be held between 5 - 6 January 2023 at Tilok Aram Temple and Si Khom Kham Temple, Chiang Rai Province. This event consists of a dance procession and a ceremony to offer Khao Thip to Phra Chao Ton Luang. It is an event annually organized by the University of Phayao in collaboration with its network. This event is organized with the aims to promote the creative economy in arts and culture of the communities in Phayao, instill values, create awareness of Thainess and pride in way of life, traditions and local arts and culture.

The highlights of this event are the Than Kao Mai procession on rowing boats in Phayao Lake covering a total distance of 4 km. The procession is decorated with offerings for Phra Chao Ton Luang created from the Northern local cultural capital. The procession starts from Tilok Aram Temple pier, moved to in front of the Ancient House, Phaya Ngam Muang Monument, to the pier behind Ubosot Klang Nam, Si Khom Kham Temple. The native Thai orchestra band, which is Phayao’s identity, plays accompanying the traditional dance on the boat.

 After that, a land-based Khao Mai procession is set up in front of Ubosot Klang Nam, Si Khom Kham Temple pier. The procession consists of Than bowl and Khao Thip Bowl, offerings and Khao Thip Tray, Royal Monk Bowl and other equipment. The procession moves toward Phra Chao Ton Luang Vihara. When reaching the front of the Vihara, a group of nail-covered dance performers from Si Khom Kham Temple community perform nail-covered dance to welcome the procession. Participants enter the Vihara to perform a ceremony offering Khao Thip to Phra Chao Ton Luang inside the Vihara.

Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: (+66)2 250 5500