‘Pae Yim’, aka ‘Sim Hua Roa’
or the Laughing Aunty, poses with her lion during the festivities.
Warunya Thongrod
Dragons danced through the streets and 5,000 people dined on “Fried
Rice in 85 Prosperous Pans” as the annual Pattaya Vegetarian Festival
stirred up Thai-Chinese citizens and tourists alike. 85 is a significant
number this year, as it represents His Majesty the King’s 85th birthday
coming up in December this year.
Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome, MP Santsak Ngampichet, Chonburi Gov.
Khomsan Ekachai, Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome and city council members headed
the line of 5,000 people queuing up at the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan
Foundation headquarters for a helping of the “Khao Phat Thip 85 Pans,” the
cooking of which was overseen by Surasak Pankluab, president of Pattaya
Eastern Seaboard Chefs Association.
More than 16 ingredients comprised the meal, including mushrooms, sunflower
seeds, pumpkin seeds, peas, cranberries and gingko nuts, along with 1,500
peaches. Consuming the fried rice is believed to bring prosperity.
Before they could eat, however, they had to march. The annual dual-headed
procession consisting of “Kiew Huang Huk Jow” (the nine deities who are the
spiritual mascots of the festival) and “Bhodisttava” (also known as Chow Mae
Kuan Im, the goddess of mercy, compassion & healing) kicked off at 12:29
p.m. Oct 14, at Bali Hai Pier and ran up Walking Street.
The parade group then split, with half following Beach Road to Central Road
and turning right. The second branch traveled along Second Road, stopping
for a dragon show, then met the first group at Central Road. Reunited, the
groups moved to Third Road and then jumped on buses to go to the Sawang
Boriboon Thammasathan headquarters.
“I encourage tourists to join in the vegetarian festival to make merit for
themselves, prosper and to cleanse one’s mind by consuming only vegetables
and fruits following the belief to keep our body pour by not consuming
meat,” Sukumol said.
While Pattaya’s Vegetarian Festival was the largest in the area, it wasn’t
the only one.
In Sattahip, former mayor and now head of the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan
Foundation, opened that area’s own vegetarian festival, leading a Chinese
deities parade through the city to kick off that area’s festival.
The Festival continues until Oct. 24.
White clad marchers sound the
gong to alert people in the area that the parade is marching through.
Culture Minister Sukumol
Kunplome gives her opening speech at the Satisfied Hearts and Minds
Vegetarian Festival at the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation in
Naklua.
Culture Minister Sukumol
Kunplome distributes heavenly peaches to youngsters and others during the
festival at the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation in Naklua.
Eng-Kor-Pabu troops from the
Look Praya group out of Nakorn Sawan perform their ancient ritual of
fighting against corruption.
A pair of dragons weave their
way down Beach Road.
Honored men bring ancient
symbols to the people to pay respect.
Eng-Kor-Pabu marchers uphold
justice and fight against corruption in the opening day parade down Beach
Road.
Marchers dress in white to
signify purity and cleansing of their bodies and souls.
Prasit Thongthitcharoen
(left), vice president of the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation, and
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome sound their gongs whilst leading the lions and
dragon parade through New Naklua market.
Eng-Kor-Pabu troops from the
Look Praya group out of Nakorn Sawan perform in Naklua.
A man on his horse “rides”
down Beach Road during the opening day parade.
People along the parade route
in Naklua receive blessings.
The festival in Naklua
features food - lots of vegetarian food!
Eng-Kor-Pabu heroes prepare
to take from the rich to give to the poor.
Sattahip citizens take part
in the religious ceremonies during the opening festivities.
Visit Chaowalitnitithum,
president of the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation, and Mayor
Itthiphol Kunplome perform the invitation ceremonies for the deities at Lan
Po Public Park.
Culture Minister Sukumol
Kunplome (left) and Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome (right) stir up their versions
of the “Fried Rice in 85 Prosperous Pans”.
The parade and festivities
were no less festive at the Sattahip Vegetarian Festival.
The dragon reaches new
heights whilst parading through Naklua.
Hundreds of people take part
in the religious ceremonies at Lan Po Public Park.
People scramble to feed the
dragon and make merit.