Prasat Phueng Parade, Sakhon Nakorn

Another interesting festival in the upcoming period that ThailandCONNEX would like to invite you to travel and explore towards Sakhon Nakhon Province to witness the unique festival known as the "Prasat Phueng Parade."

The Prasat Phueng Parade is an annual event that takes place during the Ok Phansa Festival and has been a tradition passed down through generations, evolving into a regional festival specific to Sakhon Nakhon Province. This festival, despite its name, is not related to bees or beehives; rather, it gets its name from the use of "bee poles" in its construction. According to the beliefs of the people of Sakhon Nakhon, they construct replicas of a stairway, following a story from Buddhist history. It is said that when the Buddha descended from the Tavatimsa Heaven on the day of his ordination, he created golden, silver, and crystal stairways for the angels, humans, and animals to admire his virtues. This event has led to the imaginative creation of a magnificent prasat (temple) in the heavenly realms. The residents of Sakhon Nakhon believe that to enter such a beautiful prasat, they must accumulate merit and practice good deeds.

Additional beliefs of the Isaan people concerning the Prasat Phueng Parade involve making merit on the day of Ok Phansa. It is believed to be a day when the Buddha revealed the entire universe to see and understand the nature of existence. This event signifies the beginning of Buddhist Lent, and people believe that by making offerings, they can show the Buddha the beehive they've created and its location, which will bring good luck to themselves.

The festival typically takes place from the 23rd to the 29th of October. There is still time for those who wish to experience the beauty and the culture of Sakhon Nakhon through this unique event, which is held only once a year.