Phra that Cho Hae Fair on 9-15 March 2014

phrathat

This weekend I’m heading north to take pictures at the Phra That Cho Hae Fair in Phrae Province. The highlights are people dressed in Lanna style costume carrying cloth to wrap around the pagoda.  This year the fair is being held from 9-15 march 2014. Built in the Sukhothai period, Wat Phra That Cho Hae is the most sacred Buddhism site of Phrae. The highlight is the 33-meter-tall Chiang Saen-style “phra that” (pagoda), wrapped with bright brass sheets, which enshrines holy relics of Lord Buddha. The name of the temple refers to traditional fine silk woven found in Sip Song Panna, which was first used to wrap the pagoda when the temple was first constructed.

For the four day trip I will be visiting the following sites in Nan and Phrae Provinces:

  • Komon Old Fabric Museum, the tin chock cloth and ancient fabrics in the museum are over 200 years old with unique patterns that have been passed down from ancestors.
  • Mrs. Pranom Tapang’s House, she was the National Artist in the field of Visual Arts for 2010 and her clothes are well known for being made of pure gold with Chok lotus-flower patterns
  • Saturday Walking Street Market (Kad Kong Kao and Kad Pra Non)
  • Khum Chao Lunag Mueang Phrae, the residence of the Phrae rulers, currently the Governor’s residence
  • Free Thai Library and Museum, the Phrae Free Thai community museum is a learning center which provides the history of the Free Thai resistance forces that conducted a secret war against the Japanese army
  • Ban Thung Hong, a village noted for the making of Mo Hom shirts from local cotton fabric dyed in indigo blue used in making garments
  • Wat Phra That Cho Hae, Chiang Saen-style chedi housing the hair and left elbow relics of the Lord Buddha.
  • Bicycle Collecting House at Wiang Sa District, is the place of Mr. Supoj Taengtrirat where he collects antique bicycles
  • Wiangsa District Office is the historical building where HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit went on 16th March 1958
  • Wat Nong Bua is an ancient temple. From stories by village elders, it can be assumed that this temple of the Thai Lue was constructed in 1862
  • Nong Bua Thai Lue Village, this village is skillful in beautiful fabric weaving, called “Pha Lai Nam Lai”. It is considered as the biggest venue in Nan province
  • Wat Phrathat Khao Noi, has views of the surrounding scenery of Nan. At the viewpoint spot is “Phra Phuttha Maha Udom Mongkhon Nanthaburi Si Nan”.
  • Wat Phumin, the distinguishing point of this temple is its 4-portico building, the only one in Thailand which seems to be standing on the back of 2 Nagas. This building serves as the 3-in-1 ubosot, wihan and the main chedi.
  • Sightseeing Old Town of Nan by Tram
  • Chompu Phukha Silver Centre, was established in 1993 by a group of high skilled silver smith in Nan province. The aim of this company is to produce and sell silver products made by hill tribe people in Nan province

As usual, I will be tweeting live pictures from the trip on @RichardBarrow and also posting to my personal Facebook profile.

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