Big Buddha Mountain will be lit by lanterns this weekend as traditional artists put on cultural shows at the 6th Khao Chee Chan Festival.
Chonburi Deputy Gov. Thammasak Rattanatanya and Vice Adm. Pongsak Phureeroj, president of the Khao Chee Chan Cliff Carving Foundation, detailed the program for the Dec. 15-16 festival in Najomtien Sub-district at a Dec. 7 news conference.
The festival, organized by the Chonburi Tourism and Sports Department and the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration, is held annually to promote cultural tourism and reinforce strength in the community. It also pays tribute to HM the late King Rama IX and late Supreme Patriarch Nyanasamvara.
In addition to the usual lantern parade, the festival will feature a Ramayana Khon mask play performance, an “acid sand” ceremony and the throwing of ‘kabinlapat” spears by 100 Thai artists.
The royal compositions of HM late King Bhumibol also will be played by the Royal Thai Navy Band while artisans will perform a “thepbanthng” dance and perform shadow plays.
The festival begins at 9 a.m. and runs all day.