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| PHETCHABUN |

Situated right in the heart of the country some
346 kilometres from Bangkok, Phetchabun borders
on three regions, the North, the Central and the
Northeast. The central part of the province is
on the Pa Sak river basin with mountain ranges
running along both the western and eastern sectors.
Because of the fertility of the land, Phetchabun
has always been an agriculturally productive area.
The very name of the province actually means the
land of crops and foods.
Today, Phetchabun is a province
with rich tourism potential. Its climate is
pleasant due to the mountainous and forested
areas and it has a history of richness and prosperity
for more than 1,400 years. As and Sukhothai
styles have been discovered. Phetchabun is administratively
divided into the following districts: Muang,
Lom Sak, Lom Kao, Chon Daen, Nong Phai, Wichian
Buri, Si Thep, Bung Sam Phan, Wang Pong, Nam
Nao and Khao Kho.
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Sweet
Tamarind Day Sweet tamarind is grown mostly
in Phetchabun. Sweet Tamarind Day is thus organised
in Phetchabun to celebrate the harvest of this
fruit. This day is also called Phetchabun’s
Agricultural Day. During the festival, farmers
bring their sweet tamarind to sell at reasonable
price at Phetchabun’s provincial athletic field
where contests of sweet tamarind and other crops
are held. Besides this, there are other agricultural
exhibitions and entertainment organised during
the event.
The Bathing of Phra Buddha
Mahadhamaracha Festival or Um Phra Dam Nam Ceremony
This event is annually held on the fifteenth
day of the waning moon in the 10th lunar month
or during the Sat Thai period, in September.
Phra Buddha Mahadhamaracha is a highly revered
ancient Buddha image of Phetchabun. The image
was found in the Pasak River by a group of farmers
four hundred years ago and it was then taken
to be housed in Wat Trai Phum. According to
a legend, the Buddha image was disappeared twice
from the temple and was later found in water.
It was said that the Buddha image itself had
wandered out of the temple. Therefore, the ritual
bathing ceremony is held. The ceremony starts
at 1 p.m. The image is carried around town and
put under a tent in Wat Trai Phum, so Buddhists
can pay respect to it and stick gold leaf on
its body. In the evening, prayers are chanted.
At night, there are various kinds of entertainment.
The next morning, people make merit as it is
Sat Thai Day. Foods, including Krayasat, and
other necessities are given to monks. The Buddha
image is then taken to be immersed in the Pasak
River by the governor of Phetchabun and traditional
dances are performed to show respect to it.
After the ceremony, the water in the river is
regarded as sacred. As a result, plople swim
in it or take the water to drink before the
boat racing begins.
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