A strong wave of faith: tens of thousands of women from Chaiyaphum joined in traditional dances to pay tribute to "Chao Pho Phaya Lae" the first lord of Chaiyaphum during the Bun Duean 6 festival.
On 20 April 2026, reporters reported that at the Chao Pho Phaya Lae shrine in Ban Nong Pla Thao, central Chaiyaphum, on the first Monday of the sixth lunar month, Anan Nakniyom, Governor of Chaiyaphum Province, struck a gong to officially open the Bun Duean 6 festival at the Chao Pho Phaya Lae shrine for the year 2026, held from 20 to 28 April 2026, lasting nine days and nine nights.
Meanwhile, over 300 beautiful women from Chaiyaphum participated in ritual dances dressed in traditional costumes honoring Phaya Lae, leading a parade of offerings around the shrine three times before presenting sacred offerings to the revered spirit of Chao Pho Phaya Lae. This honors the sacred spirit of the first lord of Chaiyaphum since the reign of King Rama III. Originally named Lae, he was a Lao immigrant from Vientiane who settled in what is now Ban Nong Pla Thao and petitioned to be under Bangkok’s authority, eventually being appointed the first lord of Chaiyaphum.
At that time, the Lao Prince Anuwong led an army to invade Thailand. Chao Pho Phaya Lae refused to support Prince Anuwong but allied with Khun Ying Mo of Nakhon Ratchasima to repel the invading forces. Despite their efforts, they were outnumbered, and Chao Pho Phaya Lae was captured and executed beneath a tamarind tree near the edge of Nong Pla Thao pond. Due to his virtuous deeds, he was posthumously honored with the title Khun Phaya Phakdi Chumphon. Locals united to build the Chao Pho Phaya Lae shrine to venerate his sacred spirit, preserving his memory to the present day.
At the same time, many devotees who have faith in the sacred spirit of Chao Pho Phaya Lae prepared ceremonial offerings including five and eight-tiered trays, flowers, incense, candles, and sweets to worship and apply gold leaf to his statue for blessings of good fortune for themselves and their families. Many brought pig heads, ducks, and chickens for ritual offerings and dances to fulfill vows. Visitors prayed for peace and prosperity and to repay promises made to Chao Pho Phaya Lae. The shrine area in Ban Nong Pla Thao, Mueang Chaiyaphum District, was crowded with worshippers.
There was also the presentation of merit offerings equal to the age at which Chao Pho Phaya Lae passed away. Many devotees who had made offerings last year reported success in their careers and businesses, fulfilling their wishes made to Chao Pho Phaya Lae. They brought pig heads, ducks, chickens, fruits, flowers, and sweets as offerings to him.
At around 7:00 p.m., near the Chao Pho Phaya Lae monument in front of the Chaiyaphum City Hall in downtown Chaiyaphum, rain began to fall, starting as a light drizzle before turning into a heavy shower lasting about five minutes, then stopping. This brought refreshing coolness after a hot spell, much to the relief of everyone. Foreign tourists joined in a traditional Northeastern Thai dance called "Serng."
Following this, Anan Nakniyom, Governor of Chaiyaphum, led women from the province, ranging in age from 8 to 85 years old, representing the brave people of Phaya Lae's city from 16 districts, over 1,700 villages, and 124 subdistricts. They dressed in traditional Thai outfits in the brick-red color symbolic of Chaiyaphum Province and performed dances honoring Chao Pho Phaya Lae at the four corners of the city. Four major dance troupes performed: "Proud Chaiyaphum People," "Eun Kwan Hom Tum," "Phum Sratha Land of Chaiyaphum," and the final fun troupe "Ban Hao Boeng Chaiyaphum," which brought lively and enjoyable performances around the monument.
In total, 14,000 women from Chaiyaphum participated in the tribute dances. Historical records confirm that Phaya Phakdi Chumphon (Lae), the first lord of Chaiyaphum from 1817 to 1826, was loyal and devoted to the nation and founded the city of Chaiyaphum.