PHI TA KHON 2026

Phi Ta Khon is the festival that I really want to see by myself someday. And finally, I found friends who want to join with me to this one of the biggest festivals in Thailand. The period of the festival this year was 20-22 June. So, we planned to join during 20-21 June. Then I flied from Bangkok on 19th and return on 21st. 

I have 2 friends, Radar and A who are living in Udonthani province, and they suggested I fly to Udonthani and they will pick up me from airport and continue to Loei province which take around 3 hours. But it was good because the flight from Bangkok to Udonthani during the festival is much cheaper.

And another friend, Fang who live in Bangkok also wants to join this trip so 2 of us flied from Bangkok and meet with another 2 in Udonthani. Then we were 4 persons for this trip.

19th June - I and Fang booked morning flight with Air Asia. There was some technical problem with the aircraft, so we had to change. 

Then our flight delayed 2 hours from the plan. We supposed to arrive Udonthani around 9am but finally we arrived around 11am. 

Then we adjusted our plan. A waited for us at airport with her car while Radar has to changed her plan as her has to join us on 20th instead with some reason. 

A took us to one of the most famous restaurants in Udonthani name VT. This restaurant is well known for Vietnam cuisine. 

And I also like Vietnam food because they always serve with lots of fresh vegetable.

This restaurant has few branches in Udonthani but A took us to the one which selling souvenir as well so the venue quite large. 

They have variety of menus, but we were only 3 persons so we picked some dishes

After finished first meal in Udonthani then we continue to Loei province.

As always, we normally start the trip with visit some temple on the way to worship and pray for our trip to be safe and smooth. 

After temple we continue on the road and heading to Chiang Khan

On the way we saw a nice gas station with classic architecture. So, we stop and let A relax as only her drove this time.

Their shops, and all buildings decorated by wood. They look like the houses and building in Chiang Khan

We finally arrived Chiang Khan. I was there around 10 years ago and now a bit excited to see how difference they are.

We parked the car in the temple

We spent few minutes to worship the buddha image in the temple

After that started walking along the street of Chiang Khan and I start with local snack. This is one of my most favorite snacks. The green leaf wrapped with the red onion, peanut, coconut and put some sweet sauce.

I still remember some point of this street but there are some new shops, homestays, small hotels and restaurants.

Thai style BBQ restaurant

Small bar

And Thai style coffee shop.

We tried shrimp BBQ 

And stopped at the dessert restaurant

The name is Bua Loy, the taro and flour mix with pumpkin and put the natural color from flower butterfly pea. All boiled in the coconut milk, eat while it a bit warm. It was so good

Besides of the food, Chiang Khan also full of art and architectures

We walked until the end of the street and then return with another street along the Mae Khong river where we can see Laos. 

We decided to have dinner in Chiang Khan so we picked the restaurant with river view. But at the time we arrived, it was not sunset yet. So, we sit inside air-con room

We ordered few menus.

Their fried chicken is so delicious

But I like this menu the most

We were enjoyed eating and talking. Until sunset

And I found that the sunset with the view along Mae Khong River is so beautiful

We left Chiang Khan and drove to Loei city center.

We booked rooms at Marble Arch Hotel De Loei

Their room is clean and look new. I like their pillow and blanket so soft and clean

Bathroom also new and clean. Since their prices is cheap. Only THB 1000 per night （no breakfast） so we booked 4 rooms for all of us. We arrived hotel around 9pm so we separated for relax.

20th June - We booked room without breakfast. Because A planed to take us to try local breakfast 

Just 10 minutes away from hotel. There is small restaurant name Pae Nguan

They have variety menus. And because we arrived quite early so we got table and did not wait long time for food

A normally do not have breakfast so she ordered only a bowl of noodle.

Me and Fang want to try few menus so we ordered and shared

I like this menu

Their crispy pork was so good

And we ordered this soup

All food were so good

After breakfast, we drove back to Dan Sai district to for Phi Ta Khon festival. The distance was 2 hours. 

So, we stopped at Phu Rua National Park for relax

Then I got another stamp for my National Park Passport. In Thailand, we have National Passport book which we can get stamp from the National Park around Thailand once we visit them. And this becomes another popular hobby of Thai traveller including me. 

We continue to the festival and on the way, we saw lots of people riding motorbike and they are wearing the colorful long sleeve shirt showing logo of Phi Ta Khon. Seem the festival is very famous, and it should be big event.

Besides of the festival, I found there is the seasonal fruit like dragon fruit

And this one of my most favorite fruit. Then we stop and buy some

The taste was so good, fresh and mix with sweet and sour

And we saw this sculpture showing that we were close to the festival now

Finally, we met Radar as she arrived to festival before us

The festival street from main road long to the temple

Along the road, there are lots of souvenir shop, snack, drink and Phi Ta Khon mask

The weather was so good, no rain even hot but lots of people enjoy activities at the festival

We all were enjoyed as well

Lots of people wearing ghost mask

Not only, boy or man but there were also girls and women wearing the ghost mask

And all dancing and playing with other tourists

Actually, the main festival is on 21st but today also fun. We planned to join 2 days festival so today we left the festival a bit early to visit some temples near by.

There are many people wearing ghost mask everywhere. We visit Stupa of Love from the Two Nations （Phra That Si Song Rak）, is a Buddhist stupa located very close to the festival. It was built around 1560. The name translates to "Stupa of Love from the Two Nations" and reflects the historical bond between the ancient kingdoms of Lan Xang and Ayutthaya.

After that, we left the area and heading back to Loei city center. And on the way stopped for our late lunch.

Grilled chicken is famous food in this area so we chose the restaurant which serve this menu and this restaurant made it good

Besides of grilled chicken we order some other Northeastern food

We were enjoyed this meal and after that drove direct to our hotel for refresh. And then we left hotel again to enjoy finger food at the night market

We completed our 2nd days of this trip with some milk shakes and return to hotel to take rest. We have to wake up at 5am on 21st and drive 2 hours again to the main festival Phi Ta Khon which is our main reason of this trip.

21st June - it was the highlight of this trip, to see the ghost parade "Phi Ta Khon". Since we stayed in Loei city （because all hotels/resort near festival all fully booked）. 

However, even we left early. 

There was long traffic jam on the road the festival area. So, we parked the car （THB 100 fee） and then find some breakfast.

Green bean with chili-paste at the local food near the parking was so good.

The fried chicken also good. Crispy and tasty.

And this is my best papaya slad during this trip. 

After finished quick breakfast, we decided to find some motobike taxi to the festival. We got 2 motorbike taxi, this we separate to be 2person/bike 

It was right decision we did. We took only 10 minutes then we reached to the entrance

*** all photos on motorbike captured from vdo which A took it during ride ***

We arrived at the entrance and start walking along the street 

There were lots of people （much more than yesterday）.

Many people wearing ghost costume

Lots of them wearing ghost mask

Both Thai and foreigner were enjoying the festival

There also the parade car with ghost mask decoration

We got cute ice-cream with Phi Ta Khon looks

Great idea to make this ice-cream and yummy

Besides of the haunted parade, they also have beautiful parade

The long street of the festival full of people and food stall

This is the great mixed of culture and fun festival

We spent around 1 hour inside the festival and left by motorbike again as me and Fang have to fly back to Bangkok from Udon today, so we had quite limited time and have to avoid traffic jam as well.

We Pick up our luggage from hotel and then heading to Udonthani. Since we had great plan for today, so we have more 2 hours flexible before going to airport in Udonthani.

A suggest stopping on the way at a small but nice cafe name Baan Pheun Cafe

The small cafe with nice atmosphere

We ordered drinks

And some snack and salad

All food is great, tasty with original Thai 

We finished all food very quick (pre-lunch meal). However, traveller like us always travel and working together as we can work from anywhere as long as there are internet

Finally, we continue to Udonthani and the next stop was recommended restaurant by Radar for our early dinner before flight

The restaurant which located 2 minutes aways from Udonthani airport. Very convenience

Their signature is fish

They serve hot pot fish, and also other Isan food

So, we ordered some other side dishes

This chicken wings is very good

As well as deep fried pork with fish sauce

My most favorite is this one, Thai sour sausage eats with chili and ginger

And something cannot miss when travel to Isan especially Udonthaini. And Udonthani is famous for this menu （A & Radar said）

We finished all foods and it was time to say goodbye. This trip I brought friends of mine to meet each other and become friend. Radar and A invited us to come to Udonthani again in November this year for World Flower Festival which is the biggest international flower festival in Thailand. This is an interesting plan to consider. But still have time. 

With all memories from this trip. Phi Ta Khon is the great festival in Thailand. And the festival becomes bigger and bigger every year. This festival also good to be meeting point for friends who living in difference part of Thailand.

And to get into the middle of the festival and understand the culture was a great experience. Next time, we may try wearing the ghost mask, dress and enjoy dancing along the road same like them.