Speaking of the “Fairs”, generally, it refers to places where the fun and joy of various types of activities, shows, games, stuffs to eat, stalls of goods for sale, are occasionally filled in the area. It can take place at any wide space that is opened for the settling of the fairs, such as the football field, the school area, the park area, etc. The Thai Temple Fair, so-called in Thai “Ngan Wat”, is slightly different from the fairs in general. Several observable differences are the followings.
First to mention is the place holding the fair and activities; must be within the temple arcade.
Secondly, the major context of the fair is the religious context. This is because the temple fairs are usually held during times of pilgrimages; for example at the period to make and off-season offering of robes and other needs to the monks (Thod Bhapa), or at the annual merit-making ceremony in which new yellow robes are presented to Buddhist monks by laymen (Thod Kathin), The first day of rainy season retreat (the Buddhist Lent Day), etc. The Thai temple Fairs are also held for the celebration of the festival, such as the Sart Day, the Songkran Day, and etc. It is common for the Thai Temple Fair to reserve a period for the Thais to “make merit” via religious ceremony and donations to the temple while all events of fair are functioning. Attending the fair and playing the midway games is also consider a way of merit making in itself.
Lastly, most temples throughout the kingdom will hold a fair at least once a year. The timing is often according to the lunar calendar
The common fun and enjoyment perform within the Thai Temple Fair, as of other fairs in general are those of exciting games and activities, such as Ferris wheels, shooting galleries, Sao Noi Tok Nam (little lady falling into water – It is a dunk tank, played by throwing balls to hit target; and if the target is hit, the lady sitting next to the target will be dropped from platform into a trough of water); freak shows such as Mia Ngu (snake’s wife) with a woman living with a python, and etc.; spectacular performances of the community or the villagers, shopping booths and delicious food from many food stalls.
Thai Temple Fairs… “Ngan Wat”[/caption]The Thai temple fair is, therefore, the celebration and enjoyment festival together with religious ceremony. The fair acts as the center of community entertainment and shopping mall. People await a coming of this annual fair. Nowadays, the modern life comes with new entertainment styles and various night life activities. The traditional Thai Temple Fair has toned down its popularity. However, outside the cities, especially in rural areas, a colorful night of Thai Temple Fair is still their most favorite festival.
