History of Thai Sart Day 2026: The Significance of the Tenth Lunar Month Merit-Making Tradition

Thai Sart Day 2026 Falling on Sunday, 11 October 2026, this tradition is an important cultural observance for Thai people, practiced continuously over many years. It usually takes place around September to October each year and serves as a family reunion day when members come together to make merit and dedicate merit to deceased ancestors. What is the history behind this tradition? Read on to find out.

Understanding "Thai Sart Day": What is this day about?

Thai Sart Day is the mid-year merit-making day for Thai people, occurring on the waning 15th or sometimes the waxing 10th lunar day. It is also popularly known as " Sart Month Ten Day " or " Tenth Lunar Month Merit-Making Tradition " with regional names varying as follows:

• Central region: Thai Sart Day
• Southern region: Tenth Month Merit Festival, Preta (Hungry Ghost) Ceremony
• Northeastern region: Khao Sak Merit-Making Ceremony
• Northern region: Ton Khuay Salak Ceremony

In the south, it is called " Tenth Month Merit Festival " which is divided into two parts: " Grandparents Receiving Day (the first merit-making) on 27 September 2026 (waning 1st day of the 10th lunar month) and " Grandparents Sending Day " (the concluding merit-making) on 11 October 2026.

Thai Sart Day originates from Indian beliefs. When adopted into local Thai tradition, it became closely linked with agricultural society beliefs and ancestor worship. It is believed that making merit for deceased ancestors and revered spirits helps bring peace and happiness to the family, ensures seasonal rains, abundant crops, and satisfactory harvests. Conversely, disrespecting ancestors and spirits is believed to bring adverse consequences.

What is the history behind Thai Sart Day 2026?

According to evidence in the "Twelve-Month Royal Ceremonies" book, a royal composition by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), the tradition of Thai Sart Day dates back to the Sukhothai era. It is assumed to have Indian and Brahman influences because the Sart Day in the 10th lunar month coincides with a period when rice is not yet ripe in Thailand, thus not the local harvest season. Therefore, traditional desserts for this festival could not be made from fresh produce at that time.

To adapt, Thais used old rice mixed with beans and sesame seeds to make "Krayasart" desserts as offerings to sacred spirits, deities, and protective ghosts. Later, with the rise of Buddhism, merit-making shifted toward monks to dedicate merit to ancestors and deceased beings believed to be "preta" (hungry ghosts), allowing them to receive merit on Sart Day. In the south, this day is called " Preta Merit-Making Day " and involves preparing trays of food, fruits, traditional desserts like "Khanom Pong" and "Khanom La," to make merit and share blessings with departed relatives during the festival.

What ideas does the significance of Thai Sart Day reflect?

• Expressing gratitude to deceased ancestors, believing that during the Sart tenth month, departed relatives who are still repaying karma can return to receive merit from their living family members.
• Showing respect to benefactors, symbolizing the bond between deceased ancestors and living descendants.
• Demonstrating generosity, as people often give traditional desserts like Krayasart or regional treats to each other during this time.
• Paying respect to nature, the rice goddess Mae Phosop, spirits, and deities (according to local beliefs) who protect and bless agricultural crops.
• Practicing sacrifice through merit-making, donating, avoiding greed and attachment, as well as supporting Buddhism and preserving Thai traditions for future generations.

As for the activities on Thai Sart Day 2026, Thais customarily visit temples to make merit, pour water to dedicate merit to deceased ancestors, and bring food, fruits, and traditional desserts to offer during almsgiving. Rituals may vary by region.

Source:  www.m-culture.go.th