Devotees collected firecracker tail numbers at the unveiling ceremony of the "Tiger Spirit" statue at Prang Samret in Nakhon Pathom, hoping for luck in the 17/1/26 lottery draw. 53 and 342 were the numbers noted.
A reporter described the atmosphere at the unveiling ceremony of the 'Tiger Spirit' statue, made of metal covered entirely with brass sheets, measuring 52 inches across the lap and 2 meters tall, held at the Tiger Spirit Shrine in Nong A Si, Pra Prathon Subdistrict, Mueang Nakhon Pathom District. Local residents and businessmen collaborated to build and then dedicate it to the shrine so that worshippers could pay respect and pray for success. The ceremony included a lion dance by a well-known troupe from Bangkok and offerings arranged by Mr. Porntep Saengkham, the shrine caretaker and medium for the Tiger Spirit, who led the ceremony.
Before the ceremony began, a lion dance was performed, followed by the lighting of 10,000 firecrackers to mark the auspicious start. Many people attended the event. Mr. Porntep, dressed in yellow traditional Chinese official robes, cut his tongue and wrote sacred inscriptions on paper sheets, distributing them to participants. During the unveiling, roaring sounds like a tiger’s were heard, and holy water was sprinkled on attendees. Afterwards, people were invited to pay respects, offering flowers, incense, and candles, marking the conclusion of the ceremony.
After the spirit mediumship, Mr. Porntep explained that the Tiger Spirit Shrine in Nong A Si was established through support from local residents and nearby factories. It serves both Thai and Chinese worshippers who come to pray for blessings and fortune, many having received good luck. The casting of the Tiger Spirit statue took over two years to complete. It was installed at an auspicious time during the New Year and upcoming Chinese New Year festivals. He announced that from now until the end of the Chinese New Year, anyone wishing to resolve Zodiac Conflict Year (Pee Chong) issues may come to do so free of charge, with donations to the Tiger Spirit welcomed.
Meanwhile, attendees eagerly examined the firecracker tail numbers to use for lottery bets, spotting the numbers 53 and 342. Many took photos on their phones to save the numbers for the 17/1/26 lottery draw.
