INFORMATION

  BOUN PI MAI 

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WHEN -

• Around mid April 13th - 15th or 14th - 16th                                                                       - Click here to find out. The Mekong cruise                                                            departs Fridays, Sundays and Wednesdays                                                                    so you'll need to match this up with the                                                                festivals and start the trip on the appropriate day.

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LENGTH -

• 3 days plus festivities, Luang Prabang hosts the most spectacular Festival in the country and it lasts 7 - 10 days.

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HISTORY -

• Some of the beliefs in this festival predate Buddhism and go back to Hinduism and Animism.

• It also comes from a big astrological event of the Sun entering the constellation of Aries.

• There is a legend that says the mythical King Kabinlaphrom lost his head in a bet (literally) and if his head hit the earth it would be destroyed. His 7 daughters placed the head in a cave on Mt Sumeru and took turns in taking care of it.

• This is reenacted today with the beauty contest with 7 participants.

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WHERE -

• Luang Prabang - UNESCO World Heritage Centre

 

HOTELS -

• Chiang Mai - Raming Lodge Hotel & Spa **** - good location near restaurants, bars, night bazaar and Tha Pae Gate, Spa and Wellness Centre, Bar

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• Chiang Khong - Chiangkhong Teak Garden Riverfront Onsen **** - get a room with Jacuzzi or Onsen with river views, swimming pool looking over the river, 

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• Pakbeng - Le Grand Pakbeng or the Santuary Pakbeng Lodge - part of the boat  ticket, or you can pick your own for a reduced price.

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• Luang Prabang - stay at or near The Belle Rive Boutique Hotel **** - great location, Colonial building with river views, Restaurant and Bar

 

VISAS -

• Thailand - Click here for details​

• Laos - Click here for details

 

ABOUT -

• DAY 1 - Last day of the year Maha Songkran people clean their houses and Buddha statues at the temples

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• DAY 2 - No mans land day. A day of neither year. A day off for people to relax and enjoy the action on the street.

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• DAY 3 -  First day of New year Wan Thaloeng Sok making merit offering alms to the Monks (Tak Bat) then climbing up to the Stupa on Mt Phousi.

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• Later in the  day plus people release animals such as turtles, birds, crabs and fish.

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INCLUDES -

• Splashing water, Throwing flour, Red lipstick, Water pistols, Street food, Dancing, Singing

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• Many parades, Beauty Pageant representing King Kabinlaphom's seven daughters who ride down the street on elephants among other things.

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• Processions also contain Nagas, lanterns and traditional costumes, Elephant parade

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• Lao Fairs, Sand Stupa making

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HIGHLIGHT -

• Day 2 -  "Day of no day" is also Action day and the day of the Prabang procession

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FLIGHTS - Take the airport authorised taxi to your hotel

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• Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) - has direct flights to 21 cities in 8 countries   all in Asia. If your coming from anywhere else you can probably connect with Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Hong Kong.

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• Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ) - has direct flights to Chiang Mai, Bangkok (both airports), Vientiane, Siem Reap (Angkor Wat), Hanoi (Ha Long Bay) and Kunming in China (Stone Forest)