Phi Ta Khon

Phi Ta Khon (Thai: ผีตาโขน; phǐi taa khǒn; [pʰǐː taː kʰǒn]) is a festival held in Dan Sai, Loei province, Isan, Thailand.

The events take place over three days sometime between March and July, the dates being selected annually by the town’s mediums.

Artists paint the masks with very creative and intricate designs and add carved wooden noses and ear-like appendages.

The dancers wear loose and colorful patchwork pants and shirts, with strings of bells hanging down from their belts, in the back.

The origins of this part of the festival are traditionally ascribed to a story of the Vessantara Jataka in which the Buddha in one of his past lives as a prince made a long journey and was presumed dead.