It is a celebration of Thai Buddhist Lent that consist of many traditions. I found the schedule on a Thai website all in Thai. I got my wife to help translate it and below is the complete schedule of event for Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival 2009.

The following was translated from a post on http://www.guideubon.com:

Hope this helps so you can better enjoy Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival 2009.

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Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival Schedule

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Of course I had to go down and see what was going on there. One of the first sights I encountered was the gift from His Majesty King Bhumipol Adulyadej.
It is highly valued by the people of Ubon. The beautiful candle occupied its place of honor, surrounded by a barrier and guarded by a young cadet. Many people were stopping by to admire the candle and have their picture taken in front of it. My understanding is that it will be kept at a local temple after the holiday so people can go near it and Tam Boon (make merit).

There were many people walking around, taking in the sights, socializing, rehearsing and taking part in a ceremony being conducted in the meeting hall in Tung Sri Muang. There were also groups of young students panning the crowd like predators in search of prey. These groups had been given a project by their teachers to interview foreigners during the festival. So in this instance I was the prey.

One group spotted me and came running up to me with big smiles on their faces. They were students from Tesaban School in Warin Chamrap District.
They were 9-12 year olds and very polite. They asked me some questions and then requested I take a picture with them. After the photograph we parted ways but I soon heard some yelling and when I turned to look it was the students chasing me down. They had forgotten to get me to sign my name as additional proof they had actually talked to me. I hope it was as enjoyable experience or them as it was for me.

I moved on to visit the Ubon Ratchathani National Museum located at the far end of Tung Sri Muang. There was a 30 Baht fee for foreigners to enter. At the entrance is s sign stating no photos allowed unless approved by the director so I just looked. It was interesting to learn about the history of the Ubon area both geologically and historically. I saw some places I know I need to visit soon. I had been looking for places with Khmer style buildings like I had seen in Srisaket but until my visit to the museum I had no idea if there were any in Ubon Ratchahtani province.

After the museum I was again confronted by a group of students. This group was from Ah-shee-wa also known as Ubon Vocational School.
The four students were 16-19 years of age and were more timid and subdued than the elementary students. They had an interview sheet printed in English but had a hard time reading the questions so I helped out the girl who was doing the interviewing. The mandatory photographs were taken and I walked away to look at the International Wax Sculpture Competition that was going on. Again I was chased down because they forgot to get me to sign the interview sheet.

The International Wax Sculpture Competition was interesting because the themes were unique to each country.
The Candle masterpieces that were created by the temples had Buddhist and Monarchy theme. The French team was creating a wax likeness of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The Chinese team created an interesting sculpture, a large bird, wings spread as in flight and perched atop what appeared to be a globe. Skirting around the area of the wax sculpturing were displays demonstrating the process of wax making. Very interesting.

As with any big event, parking can be a problem. Both for the organizers and the visitors. Often it’s easier to use public transportation then to fight traffic and spend a lot of time looking for available parking.
I chose to ride a songtaew for that very reason. My decision was positively supported when upon exiting the park I happened upon a mass of motorcycles. It was an amazing sight. Looking over the hundreds of motorcycles I couldn’t help but wonder to myself what happens when someone comes back and is ready to leave but their bike is in center mass. Would they wait? Would they go back to the festival and return later? Would they attempt to rearrange the herd in order to free their bike? I had no answer and as it was getting hot and I was getting hungry and tired I wasn’t going to wait around to find out.

It was time to go and an end to my festive and interesting morning at Tung Sri Muang Park during the Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival 2007.

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A Festive Morning At Tung Sri Muang Park Ubon

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It was the day for the big parade to honor the masterpieces and the amazing craftsmanship of the candle makers.
Even though it was hot, crowded and the seats were hard, I had it easy compared to the brave participants of the parade.
I could sit down, fan myself, purchase drinks from the many vendors passing by and enjoy a great parade.

On the other hand, the participants had to be in place early that morning. Many of the girls had to start much earlier getting their hair done, getting in make up and getting into their costumes.
The marchers and performers participating came from local schools, hostpitals and outlying districts. A much varied group.

I salute everybody who made the parade a big success and allowed me a good day of viewing enjoyment. They not only did their duty honorably on this day but many had to endure numerous rehearsals before hand in preparation.

The dances and music were awesome. I love the lively Isaan music and traditional dances of the different regions. lively local music performed by young Ubon residents
Molam style seems to reflect the heart and soul of the Thai people of Isaan. The colorful dress just adds to the sensory pleasure. A very good and varied show. The dances were not only from Ubon but also from Buriram and Srisaket provinces as well.

Young Ubon musicians playing local music

I personally want to say a ver big THANK YOU, or maybe “khop Jai lai lai” or “Khop Khun Khrap”, would be more approriate. I am looking forward to next year when we can do it all again.

spending their time watching the crowd
lovely Ubon girl performing dance movement, not waving hello
ubon ratchathani high school students performing local dance
Ubon Beauty Queens
Thai celebrities, Chalerm singing Molam song.

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The People Make The Festival in Ubon Ratchathani

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Just Some of the 86 Candles:

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Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival 2007 Parade

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Ubon Ratchathani Umbrella Festival (Candle Festival)

I found some good seats up 3 levels which offered a good view of the parade route and easy to get out if nature called or if anything was needed to eat or drink. As the time passed the bleacher filled up and then people began lining up along the barrier that was meant to be security to keep people off the street.

More Entries for the Ubon Ratchagthani Umbrella Parade

Finally the parade began at 9:30 and I was glad to see I had a good place to watch and take photos. It had been raining in the morning but the rain stopped and the sun was peeking out. It was getting a bit warm but that is part of the experience. But I noticed that the people standing at the barrier decided to deploy their umbrellas. There were so many of them. Big ones, small ones, ones with designs, cartoon themed umbrellas and a wide variety of colors. It was a rainbow for sure.

And More Umbrellas

The people in standing along the barrier proudly displayed their umbrellas for all who sat in the bleachers to see and admire. Also the participants of the parade had a good view as well. The umbrellas did a good job of blocking the sun from the small percentage of the crowd and also did an excellent job blocking the view of all who were sitting to watch the parade.

even more umbrellas

Of course I am being a bit sarcastic here. I was actually there to watch the glorious Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival 2007 Parade. The time for the craftsmen to showcase their pieces of art and let the public seem them up close and personal. Also local school groups took the time to rehearse local dances to show the crowd. It was hot and they had to wait a long time to begin the procession. They deserved to been seen and admired.

and the winning umbrella is.......

I love Ubon and call it my home. I am proud of the work everyone does to prepare for this event. I do my best to also promote it to people I come in contact with from outside of Ubon. I was sitting next to 3 foreigners who came to experience the Candle Festival. They seemed excited to see the candles and the dancers and also document their memories. After about an hour of seeing so many umbrellas blocking their view they decided it would be better to go have a beer then to put up with the discourtesy.

Umbrellas enjoying the candle festival parade

Why would some people be so selfish and thoughtless as to interfere with the enjoyment of the masses. The other Thai people were too polite to say anything even though they couldn’t see the parade well. There seemed to be a matter of “grayng jai”. The umbrella group also insisted on walking through the crowded walk way with their weapons deployed poking other people in the head.

Umbrellas for all occassions

If you have a showcase event and want people to come and join in it would seem you should make it good for all. It would be a simple matter to ban umbrellas and could be easily enforced as there was an army of security lining the inside of the barrier. This is Thailand and the sun gets hot, but there are wide brimmed hats that could easily give protection from the sun.

Umbrella anyone?

To anybody and everybody who came to Ubon to see the Candle Festival Parade I apologize on behalf of the residents and expats of Ubon. I hope it didn’t dampen your spirits and you go away with negative feelings.

A lovely umbrella field in full bloom..

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Ubon Ratchathani Umbrella Festival 2007

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Thai celebrities at Ubon Candle Festival Cultural Show

It began with a series of instrumentals which had been composed by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The tunes were performed by a band from Rajabhat. These songs were followed by a few Ubon Ratchathani residents who are also Thai celebrities, an actor and two singers. The actor, I was told had a series on Thai TV for 10 years and he also played the part of the head monk in Nong Khai in the Thai hit movie, “Full Moon Party”. This is a movie about the sacred fireball phenomena in Nong Khai each year during the full moon in November. I actually have seen this movie in Bangkok, it was in Thai but had English subtitles. It also had Thai subtitles when the actors were speaking Isaan.

Ubon Ratchathani Mulam Singer Performing for Candle Festival

The singers were both Mulam style singers, one male and one female, which is from Isaan. The songs were great and lively, which is one of the reasons I love living in Isaan as opposed to other parts of Thailand. All three also played parts in the skits later on in the show.

Ubons Enlightenment cast in costume

Also included in the program were some Chinese cultural dances. The first one used a sort of puppet to do some amazing things. The second was call a Chinese Mask Dance. The participants would “magically” change the masks on their faces while performing the dance. It was very interesting and amazing. My personal opinion though, is that these should have been dropped from the show as they had nothing to do with Ubon Ratchathani or the Candle Festival.

Local Celebrities as Ubon Monks

The show began in prehistoric times using the cave paintings from Khong Chiam to make the point. Then the timeline slowly moved forward, showing events and fashion from the periods in the history of Ubon. The Lao and Khmer influence were also made evident. A one time the area which is now Ubon Ratchathani was a minor Kingdom with a separate ruler.

Sapphasit A local powerful and influential hero from Ubon's historic past

After some battles the King of Siam requested Ubon join him and seems after that there was peace. Elsewhere there was fighting and Ubon was asked for its help in battling the invaders. The men of Ubon proudly went to aid and many gave their lives to protect the kingdom. The gist I got from the show was that Ubon has contributed a lot to the economy and security of Thailand.

Lovely Isaan Ubon Girl Doing Showing Traditional Dance and Dress

The skits evolved to showing the history of the Candle Festival in Ubon. Also shown were significant individuals including a monk and a consort. The show ended with the Royal Anthem and the bouquet presentations to the guest celebrities. I very much enjoyed the show. It didn’t seem like it lasted the two hours my watch said it did. My only recommendation would be to offer at least one program with English narrative in order to attract the many foreign tourists who come here to experience the Ubon Ratchatahani Candle Festival.

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Ubon Ratchathani and Candle Festival History Show

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Many traditional activities connected to this festival have already begun at the local temples. One example of this is the candle procession in the evenings. There are other activities such as giving cloth and candles to monks for them to use during the upcoming rainy season.

The focal point of the celebratory activities is downtown on the grounds of the Provincial Office and Tung Sri Muang Park. The Candle Festival parade, showcasing the large candle sculptures submitted by the temples, will proceed along Chayangkun Road between these two locations. Bleachers are being set up on the street for the guests to sit and watch the parade. Soon the songtaews will be rerouted due to some streets being blocked.

Activities have already begun on the grounds of the Provincial Office. If you go there to visit you will see vendors hawking their wares from stalls, games of chance set up where you can win a doll or a bottle of beer, rides (mostly for kiddies) set up and food, food and more food. The activities here began July 21 and will continue through July 30.

Across Chayangkun Road at Tung Sri Muang park they are still in the process of erecting tents but will be finished soon. The sign saw stated at the park activities will be 27-30 July.

If you are here in Ubon I hope you enjoy the festival. If you aren’t here it might be possible to get here and get a room. This is the last big event before going into semi-hibernation for the upcoming rainy season. Come one, come all and experience Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival 2007.

Photos of Candle Festival preparations:

Preparing Chayangkul Rd for Ubon Candle Festival

Tung Sri Muang being prepared for Ubon Candle Festival

Ubon Candle Festival vendors on grounds of Provincial office

Rides for the kids on Ubon provincial official for Ubon Candle Festival activites

Games for the older crowd on provincial grounds during Ubon Candle Festival

Vendors set up for business on Ubon provincial grounds in support of Ubon Candle Festival

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Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival 2007 Preparations

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