Phi Ta Khon Festival

ผีตาโขน

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Cultural & TraditionalDan Sai
DatesDates TBA · Usually JuneCheck locally before booking
Duration3 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsPhi Ta Khon stands out for letting an entire
LanguageThaiCurrency: THB
CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type
The story

Phi Ta Khon Festival in Dan Sai

Phi Ta Khon is a three-day ghost mask festival held in Dan Sai, Loei province, with dates chosen annually by local spirit mediums, typically falling between March and July. Part of the larger Bun Luang merit-making event, it is known for its playful ghost-costume parades and painted palm-leaf masks.

Phi Ta Khon takes place in Dan Sai, a district in Loei province in Thailand's Isan region, as part of a larger three-day Buddhist merit-making holiday called Bun Luang, itself connected to Bun Phawet, an assembly-day observance tied to the Vessantara Jataka, a story from one of the Buddha's past lives.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Phi Ta Khon stands out for letting an entire town's identity center on a single mask tradition: masks are built from the sheath of palm-leaf stems topped with carved bamboo sticky-rice steaming baskets, then painted with intricate, often humorous designs and fitted with carved wooden noses

02

The mystery stays covered

Dancers wearing these masks, dressed in colorful patchwork and hung with belts of bells, playfully tease spectators with oversized wooden phalluses, a comic fertility element unusual among Thai Buddhist festivals

03

The city starts moving

Two towering costumed figures known as the Two Big Ghosts, unique to Dan Sai, lead the procession around Wat Phon Chai, whose attached museum preserves historic masks and costumes from past editions

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival is rooted in the Vessantara Jataka

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a story of one of the Buddha's past lives as a prince

The sacred route

Living ritual

whose triumphant return from a long

The local code

Living ritual

presumed-fatal journey is said to have inspired celebrations so raucous they woke the dead

Tradition 5

Living ritual

giving rise to the ghost costumes

Tradition 6

Living ritual

Before the festivities

Tradition 7

Living ritual

the town invokes protection from Phra U-pakut

Tradition 8

Living ritual

spirit of the Mun River

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually June

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Comfortable, casual clothing suitable for a warm, crowded outdoor parade; closed shoes help on uneven ground, and bright colors fit the festival's playful spirit though there is no formal...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

THB

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map17.28 N, 101.15 EOpen in Google Maps

Dan Sai, Loei, Thailand

Nearest airportLOE — Loei
TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Dan Sai via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Dan Sai, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for June.Compare faresFestival gearComfortable, casual clothing suitable for a warm, crowded outdoor parade; closed shoes help on uneven ground, and bright colors fit the festival's playful spirit though there is no formal dress requirement for spectators.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Thailand and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Phi Ta Khon Festival?

Phi Ta Khon Festival is listed for Past edition: 20–22 June 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Phi Ta Khon Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Dan Sai, Thailand. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

3 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Dan Sai, Loei, Thailand

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually June
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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