Pu-Sae Ya-Sae Festival to be held in June – An overview of a little-known Thai festival

The Pu Sae Ya Sae Festival, an animist event, is held on the 14th day of the waxing moon in the 7th lunar month at Mae Hia near Wat Doi Kham. It specifically concerns the guardian spirits known as Pu Sae and Ya Sae, who are believed to reside on Doi Suthep Mountain. This festival, held not for casual tourists but for local residents and a few curious foreigners, involves the ritualistic sacrifice of a buffalo and the consumption of its raw flesh and blood by a local shaman.

This tradition reflects a profound belief in the guardianship of the mountains by these spirits and the necessity of maintaining their appeasement to ensure harmony and safety in the region for another year, reflecting the deep cultural beliefs held by rural Thai folk. Additionally, many people staying in hotels in Chiang Mai such as the Anantara Chiang Mai Resort will likely not get the chance to see it, as it is mostly attended by local residents and only a few curious foreigners, being minimally promoted.