Thailand is an agricultural country. Most Thai people in the rural areas grow crops especially rice for a living. Their fate inevitably depends on the falling of rain that will give life and freshness to their crops. The farmers will greatly suffer if there is drought. So they turn to have faith in beliefs that can alleviate their worry, prolong their hope and give inspiration to them. That is why there are various kinds of ceremonies of praying for plenty of rainfall, different in forms from region to region.
Due to the climate of the north, northeast and the central regions of Thailand, which is dry in the hot and the cool seasons, ceremonies of praying for rainfall are held in these regions. Stories and legends about three such important ceremonies, viz. the Tradition of Cat Procession, the Rocket Festival and the Phi Ta Khon Festival, are presented below.