A Study for Peng Pud Festival Form Development Based on New Normal in Chiang Rai Province

Abstract

The objective of this participatory action research was to study the steps, rite,
and form development of the Peng Pud Festival that suited the new normal in
Chiang Rai Province. The study was conducted in Chiang Rai Municipality region. The
key source of information was a total of 20 informants including the abbots of the
temples organizing the Peng Pud Festival, a group of monks, local philosophers,
community leaders in Chiang Rai Municipality region, scholars in local traditions and

cultures, and the administrator relating to the policy. The research tools were the in-
depth interview form, group discussion guidelines, and focus group which were used

to analyze and develop the activity organization format by summarizing the key point
and categorizing the data by the research objectives for the content summary.
Research results indicated that Peng Pud Festival in Chiang Rai Province had
been carried out and inherited for a long time. Currently, it was the activity to
promote the cultural tourism of Chiang Rai Province. The important activities were an
alms giving after the midnight of the Tuesday or the morning of the Wednesday
which is the 15th day of the waxing moon. There were three crucial steps, which were
inviting Phra Uppakut, a Buddha image, from the water, praying ceremony, and
almsgiving.
Regarding the development of Peng Pud Festival form based on the new
normal to follow the preventive measure for Coronavirus 2019, the venue of the
religious ceremony by the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health,
should publicize and educate people about the accurate practice during the
pandemic of Coronavirus 2019 by having a social distancing in the line waiting for
almsgiving, wearing a mask, washing hands with gel sanitizer or alcohol before and
after the almsgiving, and minimizing a talk among other Buddhists who participating in
the event.