The Phi Ta Khon 'festival of the ghosts' In the remote, small town of Dan Sai in Loei province, is not only one of Thailand's most vibrant and colourful festivities, but also a fascinating hybrid of various beliefs and rites. Most conspicuous during this festival is a Halloween-style mummery performed by local young men who wear colourful masks and dress in strange robes of patchwork rags, to enact the part of fearsome ghosts. These youngsters dance, cheerful taunt and tease the crowds of onlookers, and often enjoy rather more than just a few snifters of rice whisky or one can of beer. Much of this carnivalesque activity take place in the compound of Wat Pon Chai, the temple in the main