From the Constitution Day Celebration Fair to Lamphun Winter Fair
The Constitution Day Celebration Fair was first held officially on December 10, 1937, the day King Rama VII granted the first parliament constitution after Khanaratdon staged a revolution to change the countrys administration on June 24, 1932. The first Constitution Day Celebration Fair was held for 3 days. The first day was for official ceremonies, the other two days were for celebration and entertainment of all kinds such as a play, a mask play (khon), a Chinese opera (Ngieo) and movies held at the Phramane Grounds (Sanamluang).
The following year, it was grand and was held in many places: Saranrom Palace, the Phramane Grounds, Tha Rachaworadit, and Dusit Zoo (Khaodinwana). In 1933, the government made It last half a month long from November 28 to December 12. After that, it was held for seven days, 8-14 December, annually. In 1934, there were exhibitions by various offices and shops as well as entertainment and a beauty pageant of Miss Siam (Nangsao Sayam).
On December 10, 1935, Lamphun Province held the first Constitution Day Celebration Fair with a procession of the constitution by various government agencies and schools in the province to go along Inthayongyot Road before assembling at the lawn of the Lamphun Governors Office where Chao Chakkhamkhanathon gave a speech and students stage a performance. There was some entertainment and a beauty contest at night. The fair lasted one day, but the following year, it was set for five days like in Bangkok, December 8-12. There were exhibition booths for government and private agencies as well as schools in Lamphun Province along with a beauty pageant, which was a one-day event. The first Miss Lamphun of the Constitution Day Celebration Fair in 1935 was Miss Buachan Nanthakhuang from Pa Sang. Since then, the beauty pageant became a tradition since they had to select one to compete in the beauty pageant in Bangkok. Several beautiful young women, mostly between 18-19 years old, from different districts participated in it. The selection was done in one day. The contestants were dressed in a tube skirt with a strip of cloth across (a sabai) their chest, no makeup, no shoes. The judging criteria were based on facial beauty and shape. The winner got to wear a sash of Miss Lamphun, a silver bowl on a silver pedestal tray presented by Chao Chakkhamkhachonsak. However, the contest was cancelled in 1940 during the war. It was revived again in 1951 in the annual Winter Fair of Lamphun around December 1-7. The format of the fair was the same as that of the Constitution Day Fair. The winner or Miss Lamphun would represent the province in the Miss Thin Thai Ngam Beauty Contest in Chiang Mai or go to Bangkok for the Miss Thailand Contest. However, some women from Lamphun who did not enter in any beauty contests but went straight to the beauty contest in Chiang Mai or Bangkok, such as Miss Nuansawat Langkaphin who became Miss Thin Thai Ngam and a runner up in the Miss Thailand Contest in 1953 and Miss Suchila Sisombun, Miss Thailand 1954. Both of them brought a good reputation to Lamphun as the land of beautiful women, drawing a lot of people to visit the province. Most importantly was the beautiful heart demonstrated by all Miss Lamphun winners who engaged in public and charity activities of the province, districts and temples of Lamphun. For example, they were assigned to present flower bouquets or garlands to some important guests who visited Lamphun or to accompany the guests at a Khantok meal (northern style meal served on a raised tray) at the temple merit making occasions or other functions. Some had to kick a football to mark the beginning of a football match. The women holding a Miss Lamphun title were considered important and well-loved by all the people of Lamphun. But things are different nowadays because sometimes Miss Lamphun may not come from Lamphun or be a descendent of any Lamphun ancestors and may not participate in any activities for social benefit for the province. These are considered contestants who seek after the title and the prizes only and many have gone through many contests in many places and provinces. They seldom do anything for the province.
Reference
Cremation Souvenir Book of Khun Pho Prasong Panyaphu:
Samutphap Phapkao laorueang mueang Lamphun.
(2009) [n.d., n. pl.].
Chiang Mai University Library
Chiang Mai
ntic@lib.cmu.ac.th
Chiang Mai University, Funder
Naren Panyaphu, Advisor and expert
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