Phi Ta Khon Tradition: Pattern of Inheriting Cultural Wisdom Aspects of Thailand-Laos

Abstract

Thailand and Laos are Southeast Asian countries that share very similar racial, religious, traditions and cultural ties, especially the spoken languages that people on both sides of the Mekong can communicate without using an interpreter. Thai-Lao people come to each other with ties through kinship, like people of the same house with the same traditions. “Phi Ta Khon” is an important cultural symbol of the people of Dan Sai District, Loei Province, and the people of Mueang Pak Lai, Chaiyabuli District, Lao People’s Democratic Republic of Laos. It is a tradition of play that is driven by local cultural representations that will lead to productivity in terms of spiritual and economic value. Therefore, this research aims to study the history of the wisdom of Phi Ta Khon tradition, to identify the inheriting of the wisdom of Phi Ta Khon tradition, and to examine the pattern of inheriting the cultural wisdom of Thailand-Laos. The study found that Phi Ta Khon was a part of the festival in the Boon Luang festival of the Dan Sai district, Loei province. The festival took place between the seventh to the eighth month of the traditional festival merit of the Heet-Sipsong-Khongsibsee. Some called Phi Ta Khon as Phi Tam Khon and Phi Ta Khon. On the other hand, Phi Khon Muang Pak Lai, Laos, was the local myth. The festival has officially revived since 1975 when Laos’ government established the tourism year. Phi Khon becomes the symbol of Chaiyaburi and is selected to join the annual festival. Moreover, both Thailand and Laos, believed that Phi Ta Khon was the festival to pay respect to gods and ancestors to bring either abundance or disaster to the town.

In the aspects of inheriting the cultural wisdom, both Thailand and Laos believe in the local culture and way of life along with economic and social context. The two countries aimed to expand Phi Ta Khon into the business system. In addition, Phi Ta Khon has been inherited directly by the government and authority to promote and encourage the festival. In the aspects of the pattern of inheriting, the study found that both Thailand and Laos preserved the original pattern of Phi Ta Khon with Buddhism and local spiritual beliefs. Furthermore, both countries preserved by the pattern of applied and rebuilt.