The Phi Ta Khon Ghost Festival is a fantastic festival that takes place in Dan Sai, in Loei province. Each year, the village mediums will decide when the event will take place, (normally sometime between March and July). The whole event (called Bun Luang) is part of a Buddhist merit-making holiday known as Bun Phawet (assembly day) and takes place over three days. The town’s residents invite protection from Phra U-pakut, the spirit of the Mun river, processing through the streets wearing colourful masks and wielding phallic symbols.  

The origins of ghost festival parade stems from the Vessantara Jataka in which the Buddha, in one of his past lives as a prince, made a long journey and was considered to have died. The raucous celebration upon his return was said to be wild and loud enough to wake the dead. The main parade takes place on the first day of the festival, followed by costume/dance contests and a Rocket Festival element on the second day, then a sombre final day when the villagers listen to sermons from Buddhist monks.

There are several straightforward direct routes to Dan Sai (depending on the direction you are heading from). However, if you are looking for something a bit different and unique, click the image below to take you to a trip report with an interesting alternative route suggestion.