The End of Buddhist Lent - This day is the end of the Buddhist Lent that lasts three month every year. Buddhists will make merit and offer food and other necessary goods to the monks. Time for the robe offering ceremonies ("thot kathin"). These ceremonies are performed during one month. Many activities originated on this day and have been passed on to the present generation such as the wax castle offering and illuminated boat procession to worship the Naga king.
Bang Fai Phaya Naga is said to be a natural phenomenon. Fireballs can be seen rising up from the Maekhong River on the night at the end of the Buddhist Lent. Many people come to Nongkhai every year, hotels are booked out a long time in advance, and traffic that evening is like Bangkok at rush hour. There is also a friendship boat race between Thailand and Laos during this time.
Not an official holiday, but a festival you should not miss when in Thailand. People float little containers "Kratongs" with a candle, joss sticks and a coin to thank the river goddess and get rid of their past years sins.
