SARABURI: Tens of thousands of people gathered at the temple of Luang Pho Samret Saksit in Saraburi Province to receive a sacred calendar, believed to bring good fortune for the New Year 2568. This annual event draws visitors not only from Saraburi but also from neighboring provinces, eager to partake in the revered tradition.
According to Thai News Agency, the temple, located in Tambon Kotsit, Amphoe Nong Kae, has been hosting this ceremony for 19 years, with the calendar's colors changing annually. This year, 50,000 calendars featuring a raised image of Luang Por Samret in a Louis-style frame were prepared. The event saw extensive lines, with people queuing for over a kilometer to secure their calendar, with each individual allowed only one. Additionally, the temple committee distributed sacred coins and cloths to early arrivals. Special provisions, including an express lane for the elderly and disabled and a complimentary food pavilion, were made to ensure a comfortable experience for attendees.
Meanwhile, residents of Prachuap Khiri Khan participated in a traditional ceremony at Khao Chong Krachok, climbing the mountain to wrap a Buddha image in a 119-meter-long yellow cloth. Participants signed the cloth and paraded it up 396 steps to wrap the pagoda, which enshrines relics of the Lord Buddha. This tradition, initiated in 1958 by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, continues to draw Buddhists seeking blessings for the New Year. The ceremony also includes visits to sacred sites such as Tham Thewatsatit and a skywalk offering picturesque views of Ao Prachuap.
In Chiang Mai, heavy traffic was reported at Kruba Srivichai's monument and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep as people and tourists gathered to pay respects and seek blessings. Many opted to climb the 306 Naga steps to the temple due to long queues for the electric tram, demonstrating the devotion and patience of those participating in this spiritual tradition.
Further east, in Sisaket Province, tourists flocked to Wat Lumpuk Udomphanaram to celebrate the new bell tower and seek blessings from revered figures such as Lord Sri Sutho and Lord Sri Pathumma. The site, known as Khamchanod, Southern Isan, is famous for its auspicious banyan tree and statues, including Luang Pu Suang, drawing visitors from across the region in search of fortune and prosperity for the coming year.