Khao Phansa marks the official start of the rainy season and the first day of the three-month Buddhist Lent, during which period, monks retreat to their monasteries and temples to engage in meditation. It falls on the first day after the full moon of the eighth lunar month, or on 17 July this year.
On that day, spectacular festivals are held across the Kingdom. One of the most colorful takes place in Saraburi province in Central Thailand. Local Buddhists visit the shrine of the Buddha’s Footprint to make merit and offer yellow and white flowers to monks.