This festival is a big event in southern Thailand and represents the Buddist tradition of honouring the dead during 15 days in September. We observed how the people of Nakhon Si Thammarat appeased the spirits with offerings of food; the living get to indulge in delicious specialities as well!
The historic city ( and rumoured Thai-Mafia hub ) of Nakhon Si Thammarat, in the southern province of the same name, offers a great opportunity for watching the celebration of the Tenth Lunar Month. As Nakhon is not particually touristy, the people were excited to include outsiders in the events. Buddists believe the dead have sins and are sent to Hell as Demons. During the Festival, the Demons come to visit their relatives who provide offerings of food, to make peace and gain merit. We enjoyed sampling speciality foods, which were beautifully presented at the stalls in the grounds of Wat Phra Mahathat, where much of the action was taking place.
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