Mae Hong Son - Buat Luk Khaeo Festival

The Buat Luk Khaeo Festival, when young boys between 10 and 13 are ordained as novice monks ("nakh"), is celebrated here, where it is called Poy Sang Long, with more colorful ceremony than anywhere else in Thailand. It takes place in Wat Chong Kham at the beginning of April every year. Their youth means that the novices do not have to observe all the strictest ordinances, but the three-day ceremony traditionally begins with them having their heads shaved in the house of the richest lad on the first day. On the second day they receive presents, then on the third day they set aside their ornate costumes of the first two days and receive the saffron habit of the monk. On the first day a sight particularly worth seeing is when the youngsters are borne on the shoulders of a swaying procession into the temple.