MUST SEE! The Amazing Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival in Thailand

Welcome to the dazzling world of Ubon Ratchathani's Candle Festival! Prepare to be blown away by the vibrant colors, intricate wax sculptures, and mesmerizing light shows that turn this city into a magical wonderland. From the epic street parades to the stunning temple displays, every moment is a feast for the senses. Join me as we dive into this spectacular celebration, meet the incredible artists, learn the meaning behind the festival, and experience the unforgettable charm and amazing community of Ubon Ratchathani. Let's get this candle-lit adventure started! Good morning, Country Collectors, and welcome to Thailand's amazing Candle Festival here in Ubon Ratchathani. Today is the official first day of the 3-day celebrations, and the day that these extraordinary creations will be revealed to the world for the first time in a citywide procession through the streets to the main park in town, right here at Thung Si Mueang. While the official festival begins today, the celebration started a week ago with an impressive light and sound extravaganza. The city was transformed into a colorful and fun playground with 16 breathtaking exhibitions at six different venues, including the National Museum and many temples that became shining beacons in the night. It's hard to describe how beautiful the entire experience was. The show at Wat Thung Si Mueang was especially stunning. While I was there, I met a kind monk who presented me with a Buddhist amulet, for which I was deeply honored and humbled. One of the most captivating moments in the show was when they incorporated the dance performances. Dancers in elaborate costumes moved gracefully, their steps synchronized with the music, creating a visual and auditory feast. They also had traditional dancing that told stories from Buddhist scriptures and celebrated the rich history of Ubon Ratchathani, adding another layer of depth to the experience. Just next door to the main venue was a fun food fair and carnival where there was no shortage of amazing food and entertainment. It was the biggest one I have experienced by far. I spent hours wandering through the grounds, overwhelmed by the vibrant colors and mouthwatering smells. I couldn't help but dive into some of the delicious foods and sweets, and walking around the festival can be thirsty work, but the local drinks had me covered. The vendors were so friendly, and it seemed like everyone was smiling. People were having so much fun on the rides that I had to join in with the locals and give it a whirl. The bumper cars were a blast, but the spinning rides were the best—I felt like I was a kid again. Throughout the week, there were many activities and events as part of the Candle Festival. The local zoo transforms into a neon wonderland, and let me tell you, it was amazing. I strolled through the neon jungles and glowing pathways, feeling like I was walking in a dream. They had a beautiful traditional Thai dance show, and after the event, we even got to take a night safari. At one of the local malls, they also had a beautiful and impressive candle display. There was a dance show with intricate costumes and characters that depicted the Buddhist legend of the Goddess of the Earth. One of my favorite events was the Miss Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival International competition, where they were kind enough to make me official press. The atmosphere was electric with excitement and anticipation. The contestants were absolutely stunning, not just in their appearance but in their grace and poise. Each one had a unique story and background that showcased the diverse beauty and talent of Isan. Being behind the scenes and capturing these moments was such a thrilling experience. The contestants, organizers, and everyone involved put in so much effort to make this a spectacular show, and the contestants were so down to earth and kind. They are truly beautiful people inside and out. There were also some cultural and Buddhist ceremonies happening during the event that really made the experience memorable. One that stood out was to honor the first ruler of the city. The atmosphere was filled with a sense of history and reverence that brought the community together in a truly special way. It was a stunning showcase of traditional Thai culture, from the intricate dances performed by the locals to the rhythmic beats of molam music. Every moment was a celebration of Ubon Ratchathani's rich heritage. The dancers, dressed in traditional Thai clothing, moved with such grace and precision—it was like watching a living tapestry of history and art. And the highlight for me was dancing along with the friendly locals. Their warmth and welcoming spirit made the experience even more unforgettable. Joining in the dances was such a joyous way to connect with the community and celebrate their culture firsthand. The last ceremony I wanted to highlight was at Wat Chaeng, where I went to visit one of my spiritual inspirations, the serene and kind Luang Pu Sathit. I was invited for lunch with some of my lovely friends I made on my last visit and even got some dance lessons that were greatly appreciated. Then the master gave me a tour of the temple and explained the various Buddhas as well as some of its history. He was even kind and generous enough to give me a powerful and personal blessing at the foot of the Buddha that had me in tears. Afterwards, I had the fortuitous occasion of meeting Thongchai, a friend and guide on my Buddhist journey. "Unbelievable! Unbelievable! I did not know you would be here." "Yeah, because we have a new monk. Would you like to join?" "Yeah, I would love to!" "It's good, yeah." "So amazing! Cannot believe I see you. It is destiny, destiny." I was honored to be invited to such a significant event. This rite of passage for many Thai men involves them entering into the Buddhist monastic life. From the moment I arrived at the temple, the air was filled with a sense of reverence and anticipation. The candidates, known as nak, were surrounded by the community, all bustling around to make the final preparations. It was really beautiful to experience. The space was filled with the serene sound of chanting monks and the soft glow of candles. The candidates made a formal request to be ordained, recited vows, and then spoke the precepts in front of the senior monk, Luang Por Ao. The atmosphere was electric with spirituality. Then, while I was filming one of the candidates, this happened: "I remember you on YouTube! Hey, S̄wạs̄dī krạb!" It's hard to describe the feeling of being a part of this. As a foreigner, being invited to such an event is no small thing, and they even let me sit at the foot of the monk so I could share this beautiful ceremony with the world. It was a truly humbling experience and yet another example of the kindness and compassion of the Isan community. All right, let's head back to today. Right now, I am in front of Wat Chaeng with the wonderful candle makers who invited me to be part of their candle-making team over three months ago when this project began. They even gave me an official t-shirt. That's right, it's official, baby! The amount of work, dedication, artistry, creativity, and community spirit that goes into making these candles is just absolutely extraordinary—it's mind-blowing. So why don't we take a look back to the beginning of the journey so you can find out for yourself. I'm going to enjoy some noodles while we do that. As we step inside the workshop, the first thing you'll notice is the smell of warm wax and the sight of foam cores. These lightweight structures form the backbone of each giant candle. They're carefully shaped and carved to create the basic design for each of these pieces of art. They might look simple now, or even unfamiliar, but wait until you see the transformation. When the foam core is ready, it's time for the wax work. The artisans use brushes and tools to spread the wax evenly, building up a thick, smooth surface. They also use molds of poured wax to create the peaceful faces of the Buddha. After they cool, they get put in these jugs of water where they do their final hardening. There is the face of the fresh Buddha, and then here's the old ones. I like the face one. This one's a little eerie if you know what I mean—talk about a waxy buildup! For pieces like arms, legs, hands, and other intricate parts, wood is carefully selected and cut to size. These pieces are then coated in wax to blend seamlessly into the rest of the sculpture. For the finishing touches, delicate hand-cut wax pieces are added to the outside. These intricate elements, like leaves, flowers, and other ornate designs, are carefully crafted and then meticulously attached. This adds another layer of complexity and beauty, making each sculpture truly unique and breathtaking. Now that the individual pieces are complete, it's time to mount them on the elaborate floats. Some of the pieces are so big they actually need cranes to lift them. Once in place, teams of welders secure the bases and begin to construct the final product. Watching these grand floats come together is like seeing a giant puzzle being assembled—they are truly extraordinary. I'm back at the candle factory after three months, and wow, the transformation is simply incredible. The massive float, which started as a vision, is now nearly complete, covered in hundreds of thousands of tiny hand-cut wax pieces. Every inch is meticulously adorned by the dedicated workers who, with the help of the community, have created a true masterpiece. The main designers have been hard at work cutting foam to create pieces that add movement and depth to the float. It's fascinating to see how they fill every gap with such precision and creativity. One of the most impressive aspects is how they craft different animals, like skunks, chickens, and deer. Each one is intricately detailed. Watching these animals come to life in wax is like seeing the artist's vision unfold right before your eyes. The process is meticulous—each tiny piece of wax cut and placed with incredible care. I was even given the opportunity to make some pieces myself and participate in the process, for which I am incredibly grateful. They showed me how to carefully cut the wax into tiny precise shapes and how to attach them to the float. It was a slow and delicate process but incredibly rewarding to see my pieces become part of this grand creation. I spent hours working alongside these talented artisans, learning their techniques and sharing their stories. The camaraderie we built was amazing as we all worked towards a common goal. The amount of work and dedication here is unbelievable. They're constantly crafting more pieces, never stopping, always creating. This experience has not only been eye-opening but also a testament to the power of community and the beauty of coming together to create something truly magnificent. Seeing the float now almost finished and knowing that I contributed in a small way is incredibly fulfilling. This project is more than just an artistic endeavor—it's a reflection of the spirit and unity of this community, and I am honored to have been a part of it. One of the amazing workers here just gave me a pendant of Luang Pu To, one of the greatest monks Thailand has ever known, for protection. I am so grateful that this beautiful community has allowed me to be part of this and are not only allowing me to be part of it but are grateful for me to be here. This isn't a small thing for someone to give to you—it's a very deep appreciation and it's something that I will always hold in my heart. Thank you so much for treating me the way that you do. Thank you so much for including me the way that you do. The people of Isan are truly the most beautiful that I have ever met in my life. Khop khun khrap! Amazing, right? I can't even describe the feelings that I'm having right now—the excitement that's in the air. This is a culmination of three months of hard work and dedication, and I am so grateful to be here and be part of it. They are just putting the final touches on it—wait a second, we're going to start a little dancing! The celebrations have begun—we are eating, dancing, having noodles, and putting the touches on the floats to make them absolutely perfect. The procession is going to begin at 4:00 p.m. because it is hot in Thailand, and we do not want to have a meltdown with these candles. This is my man right here, Khun Look, and we even have our matching t-shirts—brothers, we are brothers, number one! We are having so much fun—we've been having photo shoots for the last hour. Everyone is just in such a great mood. The community here is so amazing. It's so good to be back in Ubon. I can't even explain the feeling of the generosity that you experience here. I arrived, and ten minutes later one of the guys from the candle shop gave me a motorbike for as long as I'm here. One of the artists from the creative festival gave me a free place to stay. It's this beautiful thing that you don't experience in other places—the people here are so kind and generous. I don't think I've paid for food in a week—people are giving me drinks, they just want you to feel like you're part of their family. I didn't show up the other day because I had to work, and when I came, everyone was so worried about me. That's the kind of feeling you get when you're here. So put Isan on your list, come here, and experience these beautiful people—you will not regret it. Before the procession begins, during all this partying, we are stopping for a moment to reflect and to offer thanks and ask for a blessing from the Buddha to protect this beautiful creation and to get us to where we need to be safely, and probably to win! But it's just such a beautiful contrast, you know, this amazing happiness and then now we are again back to the real culture of what this is about. This is based on Buddhist Lent. So back in the Buddha's time, he made a decree that the monks could not travel for three months during the rainy season so that they wouldn't damage the freshly planted rice in the fields. And the people would come and make candle offerings to the monks because they didn't have electricity, so because they would be inside they would then have light, and that light represents enlightenment and compassion. Over the years, it's evolved into what it is today—this massive celebration with these huge candles. But this right here, what we're doing right now, this is what it all started as—a way of offering thanks and a way of the community coming together. So it's absolutely beautiful. Then we walked to the main temple where we paid respects to the Buddha and the guardian whom this temple is named after, Luang Pu Chaeng. And then we had a photo shoot with some fun shots. So right now, they are making offerings to the spirit guardians that live in these ancient instruments, and they believe that when they play the music, the notes and the melody will be something that will give them success, that will help this beautiful creation become the winner of the Candle Festival, as well as bringing them good health and prosperity. Amazing, amazing, amazing! Thank you. So we've just been having such an amazing time—the music, the dancing, the smiles, the joy. The tractor showed up, it's been attached, and we're about to start the procession into town. The band is warmed up, the people are ready, and I can't wait for this to begin so that we can do this together. It's like our own parade—it's so cool! I've never been to anything like this. Yeah, you can see one of the other candles from Wat Si Badu coming down the road right now. This is happening all over the city. What a celebration! And the rain is pouring down right now, but you know what? That is not going to stop these celebrations. These fireworks are getting lit, and they don't care. So first it started pouring rain, and then this massive behemoth of a masterpiece won't fit out because it's so big. So right now, they're doing some last-minute calculations so we can get this down to the park. You are not going to rain on our parade, people! Oh, we have danced our way through the town to the park. You could be swimming right now with how much water there is, but it's amazing. And wow, there are so many beautiful candles down there. Woo man, that was one crazy dance party! So there are different types of candles here. The one that we have from Wat Chaeng is wax sculpted—it has foam cores, which allows for much more elaborate and large designs. It also is something that the community has to come together to make because of all those tiny little pieces. Behind me here, this is a wax-carved candle. They actually use solid pieces of wax and very thick sheets that they put over a much harder base, and then they use hot pokers to melt them into place and then smooth out the seams with their hands, so they are completely seamless. I went to a couple of factories that were making them the other day, and it is so impressive to see what they do. They're taking the little knives and cutting tools and actually creating the designs like a sculpt—they're like little Da Vincis, and it's so amazing to see. Right now, they are adding the final piece to our team candle. It's so amazing to be here for this, to see this, to be part of this. We're using a crane to get it up there because it's so huge and so high up. All of these people, this community, coming together for this moment—like nothing I've ever seen. We did it! Look at that, it's gorgeous. Unbelievable, and we got to be a part of it from the beginning. I'm so grateful. This party is going to go on all night to the morning, and the parade begins at 8:30, so I think I'm going to go and enjoy it a little bit and then see you bright and early for the grand parade where these are going to be out in the light. I can't wait to share that with you. Khop khun khrap, and have a wonderful evening. Good morning, Country Collectors! Prepare to be candle-struck because the grand parade is about to begin. It's going to be a blazing celebration from the morning into the night. The crowd is so excited—you can feel it in the air. They've been working towards this for months now. There's going to be dancing, singing, amazing candles, and probably a few surprises along the way. I hope you're ready! Welcoming this tourism and sport for even try and oh let try and. This is my good friend Nina here. She has been helping me out so much with the Candle Festival, getting me around, giving me information, just being a friend. What does the Candle Festival mean to you? "It means a lot—it means the soul of Ubon Ratchathani people, and it's our pride. So I'm very happy that you come here and make a clip on our festival so that the world will know how fascinating our Candle Festival is. Please come Monday." Definitely come here—the people like this are everywhere, so kind, so loving, so much community spirit. Khop khun khrap! And I definitely recommend taking a little break from the parade. It goes on all day for two days, so go out, walk around, meet the local people. There's food everywhere, you can go to the photo booth, there are activities, cultural things, and of course, dancing with the locals. Just throw away those inhibitions—these people are so friendly, they're so lovely, and they will just come along and dance all day long with you. Just do it, people, just do it. And while you're walking around, take a break for some water because it is so hot. The daytime portion of the parade is about to end, but don't worry. When the sun sets, they're going to bring these candles out and let them light up the night, so make sure to stay tuned for that. I have no idea what's in store. Today was so much fun—I can only imagine what we're going to get up to tonight. I'll see you in a little bit. All right, we are back, and the evening ceremony is about to begin. The stands are packed with people, the music has already begun, and there is excitement in the air. I actually just got to attend this beautiful Buddhist ceremony. Remember, while this is a celebration, it also has a very important undertone and cultural meaning behind it. It's Asalha Puja Day. I'm sorry if I said that wrong—I'm sure I did. But it commemorates the first day that the Buddhist teachings were actually revealed to the world. So I went to a temple and witnessed this beautiful ceremony. There was chanting and prayers, and then we lit these candles and went outside and made a procession around three times, each time for a different reason. The first one was for the Buddha, the second time was for the teachings, and the third time was to pay respect to the monks. It was a powerful ceremony, and I really felt something inside during it. You know, as you walk around, you can feel that energy, that history, that culture, and it was something that I will always remember and I'm grateful I can be part of. So khop khun khrap, and let's get ready for this evening party to get started. I can't wait to see these candles light up and see them as they shine in the darkness—the light in the night, the midnight oil. I don't know—it's going to be fun though. Check it out! We are here, about to walk into the grand parade at night, on the stage with this incredible group of people. I'm so glad that you're here to experience this. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience right here—once in a lifetime—and we get to do it together. Thank you for being such an amazing community. Thank you for supporting me the way that you do. You're the best! Absolutely amazing! This parade, this entire experience, has just completely blown my mind, and I'm so glad that you were here with me. Tonight was so much fun—it's turned into this massive dance party, and I really want to join in. But before I go, I want to say that there's going to be another parade tomorrow and another one of these shows, so I'm going to combine them into everything that you've seen before this and a closing thought. Like these candles that the community came together to create, when you work together, you can do anything. You can create something so much bigger than yourself. So shine your light, get out there in the world, and make it a better place. Khop khun khrap! Oh yeah, and I wanted to thank the beautiful people of Ubon Ratchathani for all of their love and compassion. You really made me feel like I'm part of your family, and I cannot tell you what that means to me in my heart. The people who drove me around, gave me food, the candle team—you guys are my family. Thank you so much for all of the love that you gave me. It was such an amazing experience being here with you. I don't even know what to say—this has been one of the greatest things that I have ever done, and we got to do it together. Thank you, thank you! Wat Chaeng, thank you to the monks, to the people—you are the best that I have ever met. Isan number one! And tomorrow night is going to be the judging contest for who wins the competition, so I'll show you that at the end of the video. If you enjoyed this video, please give me a big thumbs up, comment, subscribe, and don't forget to ring the bell! Yeah, they just made the announcement that we didn't get number one. Wat Chaeng is number two, but Chaeng will always be number one in my heart, and the people are still celebrating because this experience is about more than a trophy. It's about the community coming together, it's about the beautiful people who got to spend all of this time together creating something bigger than themselves. So I will always be grateful for this experience, to this wonderful community—they made this all possible, and they will always be in my heart. They are one of my families now. Next year, we're coming back, and we're going to do it again. Wat Chaeng number one, baby! Woo!