Annual festival in Phetchaburi
Until Jan 23, the annual Phra Nakhon Khiri-Muang Phet Fair will be held at King Rama IV Memorial Park at the foot of Phra Nakhon Khiri, or Khao Wang, in Muang district, Phetchaburi province. The event is being organised to honour King Rama IV and marks the 156th anniversary of Phra Nakhon Khiri, his summer palace.
Entry into the compound of Phra Nakhon Khiri after 3.30pm to watch fireworks and six illuminated areas, including Wat Phra Kaew Noi and Phra That Chom Phet, the main pagoda, will be free of charge.
Until Jan 22, 250 fireworks will be lit each night at 9pm. On the last night, 400 fireworks will be lit at 9pm.
This weekend between 5-8pm, monks will deliver sermons and a wian thian (candle) ceremony will be held in front of the ordination hall of Wat Phra Kaew Noi and the museum’s Chatuvej Paritphat Hall.
Tomorrow night, there will be a beauty contest for men living along the Phetchaburi River. On Jan 20, the Miss Phetchaburi beauty contest will be held. On other nights, there will be concerts by singers like Kluay R Siam, Asia R Siam, F Watthachak, Vespa R Siam, Kanomcheen Kamikaze and Touch Na Takua Thung, and shows including Yimyaem Copyshow and the Black Rose Cabaret Show.
At the memorial park, there are exhibitions on the life and work of King Rama IV, the work of His Majesty the King, the government’s 12 Thai social values, local crafts and art, movie screenings, traditional and contemporary music, cultural performances, a vintage car show, astrological workshops, traditional massage and a food fair between 4-10pm daily.
In front of Phetchaburi Vocational College, there are dessert-making demonstrations, sale of local desserts and workshops on 108 kinds of crafts, cooking, baking and gardening. At Wat Phra Non every night, there will be retro dances until Jan 21, a singing contest on Jan 22 and the final of retro dance contests on Jan 23. Throughout the 10 days, there will be a shuttle bus service to every venue of the fair at the prices of 20 baht per head for adults and 10 baht per head for children.
Call the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Phetchaburi Office on 032-471-005/6.