Wan Ok Phansa (Thai: วันออกพรรษา, pronounced [wān ʔɔ̀ːk pʰān.sǎː]; literally "day of going out of Vassa", ออก in Thai meaning exit or leave) is the last day of the Thai-Lao observance of Vassa. It occurs in October, three lunar months after the beginning of Vassa, known as Wan Khao Phansa (Thai: วันเข้าพรรษา).[1]

Wan Ok Phansa
Official nameThai: วันออกพรรษา
Observed byLao and Thai Buddhists
TypeBuddhist
FrequencyAnnual

The day is celebrated in the Isan province by illuminated boat processions (Thai: ไหลเรือไฟ lai ruea fai [lǎj rɯ̄a fāj], Northeastern Thai: ไหลเฮือไฟ lai huea fai [lǎj hɯ́a fáj]), notably in Nakhon Phanom Province on the Mekong and in Ubon Ratchathani city on the Mun River.

The main ceremonies feature boats of 8–10 metres in length, formerly made of banana wood or bamboo but now sometimes of other materials. The boats are filled with offerings such as khao tom (glutinous rice sweets wrapped in banana leaves) and decorated on the outside with flowers, candles and lamps. The boats are launched in the evening.

Additionally, some celebrants individually launch their own, smaller, vessels. Boat races also take place around this time in many places throughout the country as a way to please the Nāga spirits. Along the Mekong River, people launch little hot air balloons, acting as lanterns, around the night of Wan Ok Phansa.

Launching the boats (or the lanterns) symbolizes one's wishes but also getting rid of unnecessary negative feelings.

Etymology

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"Wan" (Thai: วัน) means "day",[2] "Ok" (Thai: ออก) means "to exit; to leave",[3] and Phansa (Thai: พรรษา) is the Thai word for Vassa.

Dates for Wan Ok Phansa

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Zodiac Date Date Date
Rat 27 October 1996 14 October 2008 2 October 2020
Ox 16 October 1997 4 October 2009 20 October 2021
Tiger 5 October 1998 23 October 2010 9 October 2022
Rabbit 24 October 1999 12 October 2011 28 October 2023
Dragon 13 October 2000 30 October 2012 17 October 2024
Snake 2 October 2001 19 October 2013 7 October 2025
Horse 21 October 2002 8 October 2014 26 October 2026
Goat 10 October 2003 27 October 2015 15 October 2027
Monkey 28 October 2004 16 October 2016 3 October 2028
Rooster 18 October 2005 5 October 2017 22 October 2029
Dog 7 October 2006 24 October 2018 11 October 2030
Pig 26 October 2007 13 October 2019 30 October 2031

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "The Meaning of Wan Awk Pansa". Chiang Mai Best. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  2. ^ วัน wan thai-language.com
  3. ^ ออก aawk thai-language.com