If you're ever in Southern Thailand in September, there’s a tradition not to be missed: the festival of the tenth lunar month, locally known as Sat Duan Sip. This is when communities in Nakhon Si Thammarat open their hearts, their homes, and their kitchens to honor ancestors, remember old stories, and share sweets under lanterns. It’s quiet, soulful, and full of moments that stay with you.

Province: Nakhon Si Thammarat

Event Date: 12-26 September 2025

What Is the Festival of the Tenth Lunar Month?

The Festival of the Tenth Lunar Month is a time-honored Southern Thai tradition rooted in animism and Buddhism. It is held to dedicate merit to ancestors—grandparents, parents, and relatives who have passed away. Locals believe that during this lunar period, roughly between September and October, the gate between the living and the dead opens. Families make merit, offer food to monks as well as to spirits and “preta” (hungry ghost beings), and join rituals of remembrance and gratitude. Unique to this festival is the blending of belief systems, where devotion to Buddhism intertwines with respect for the spirit world.

Where to Experience It: Nakhon Si Thammarat and Beyond

In 2025, the festival of the tenth lunar month runs from 12 to 26 September in Nakhon Si Thammarat. Main venues include Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, Thung Tha Lat Park (Queen Mother’s 84th Anniversary Park), and City Hall grounds. These places come alive with processions, dessert rituals, shadow puppet shows, and poetry contests.

Rituals and Highlights of the Celebration

Expect sweet offerings and beauty everywhere. At the heart of the festival of the tenth lunar month are mrap trays laden with traditional desserts (five kinds), flowers, incense, and candles. Locals prepare for days—some cooking at home, others helping make large community trays.

Then there are events that feel straight out of a movie: illuminated floats parading in front of City Hall, contests of shadow puppet theaters (Talung), kids performing literary recitals, and even games like sepak takraw.

Why You Should Go: Cultural Depth Meets Local Warmth

What makes the festival of the tenth lunar month special is its gentle power. It’s not a loud tourist spectacle, but a warm, spiritual gathering full of kindness. You’ll feel community in every prayer chant, every dessert shared, every handcrafted tray. It’s a chance to slow down, observe humility, and feel part of something ancient. If you love culture, sacred rituals, or simply exploring sides of Thailand that aren’t on postcards, this is an event to mark on your calendar.

A Soulful Celebration Worth Traveling For

The festival of the tenth lunar month is more than a date on a calendar; it’s a bridge between people past and present, spirit and community. When you come to Nakhon Si Thammarat for Sat Duan Sip, you won’t just see rituals, you’ll feel them. Those flickering lanterns, the scent of desserts, the voices in song—all invite you to pause, reflect, and remember.

Source: 

• Thailand NOW — “The Festival of the Tenth Lunar Month 2025”
• THAIest — overview of Tenth Lunar Month Festival in Nakhon Si Thammarat