Masked Man at Phi Ta Khon festival, Thailand

[UNVERIFIED CONTENT] Phi Ta Khon, or the Ghost Festival is held in Dan Sai, Loei province, about 500 km North of Bangkok in Thailand. Participants wear masks made of rice husks or coconut leaves with hats made from rice steamers, plus patchwork clothing. They also wear bells and wave wooden phalluses. The origins of this part of the festival are traditionally ascribed to a Jataka story in which the Buddha made a long journey and was presumed dead. The celebrations on his return were so raucous as to wake the dead.