Wan Ok Phansa (, ; literally "day of going out of Vassa", ออก in Thai meaning exit or leave) is the last day of the Thai-Lao observance of Vassa. It occurs in October, three lunar months after the beginning of Vassa, known as Wan Khao Phansa ().
The day is celebrated in the Isan province by illuminated boat processions ( lai ruea fai , lai huea fai ), notably in Nakhon Phanom Province on the Mekong and in Ubon Ratchathani city on the Mun River.
The main ceremonies feature boats of 8–10 metres in length, formerly made of banana wood or bamboo but now sometimes of other materials. The boats are filled with offerings such as khao tom (glutinous rice sweets wrapped in banana leaves) and decorated on the outside with flowers, candles and lamps. The boats are launched in the evening.
Additionally, some celebrants individually launch their own, smaller, vessels. Boat races also take place around this time in many places throughout the country as a way to please the Nāga spirits. Along the Mekong River, people launch little hot air balloons, acting as lanterns, around the night of Wan Ok Phansa.
Launching the boats (or the lanterns) symbolizes one's wishes but also getting rid of unnecessary negative feelings.
Etymology
"Wan" () means "day",วัน wan thai-language.com "Ok" () means "to exit; to leave",ออก aawk thai-language.com and Phansa () is the Thai word for Vassa. In the Dai people region of China, Wan Ok Phansa is called Open-door Day (, Kāimén Jié) or Exit-Vassa Day (, Chūwā Jié).
Dates for Wan Ok Phansa
Zodiac Date Date Date Rat 27 October 1996 14 October 2008 2 October 2020 Ox 16 October 1997 4 October 2009 20 October 2021 Tiger 5 October 1998 23 October 2010 9 October 2022 Rabbit 24 October 1999 12 October 2011 28 October 2023 Dragon 13 October 2000 30 October 2012 17 October 2024 Snake 2 October 2001 19 October 2013 7 October 2025 Horse 21 October 2002 8 October 2014 26 October 2026 Goat 10 October 2003 27 October 2015 15 October 2027 Monkey 28 October 2004 16 October 2016 3 October 2028 Rooster 18 October 2005 5 October 2017 22 October 2029 Dog 7 October 2006 24 October 2018 11 October 2030 Pig 26 October 2007 13 October 2019 30 October 2031
See also Asalha Puja Kathina Pavarana Uposatha Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival Tak Bat Devo Chak Phra Festival of Floral Offerings Thadingyut Festival, its equivalent in Myanmar Tazaungdaing Festival
References