Lion dance troupe "Golden Dragon Large Set" set off 100,000 firecrackers before the performance at Wat Sawang Arom to bring good fortune, while lottery enthusiasts eagerly watched for "lucky numbers" as guidance for their lottery chances
On 3 Mar 2026 GMT+7, reporters stated that at Wat Sawang Arom, Khaeklao, Khun Kaeo Subdistrict, Nakhon Chai Si District, Nakhon Pathom Province, Elai Thai and his troupe brought the large "Golden Dragon" lion dance troupe of Luang Pho Pae's disciples, involving over 100 performers. The performance featured two 30-meter-long dragons, five lions, and five lion heads, along with a full set of percussion instruments. They came to pay respects and ask for blessings from Luang Pho Pae, then performed for devotees who came to gild 99 boundary spheres from nine temples, which were donated to nine poor temples across nine provinces. Visitors also enjoyed the sunflower garden and a million-light display arranged as a replica of the Golden Gate Bridge, amid a large crowd of spectators.
Before the show began, the temple arranged the performance behind the ubosot (ordination hall). The show was divided into several segments, including a fire-breathing dragon, a dragon coiling around a 30-meter pole, lions crossing a bridge, firecrackers ignited mid-bridge, all accompanied by light and sound effects. The lions performed group acrobatics involving five to seven performers balancing atop each other and walking on poles. Before starting, the Golden Dragon lion troupe paid respects to Phra Kru Yothi Thammanuyut, or Luang Pho Pae, the abbot of Wat Sawang Arom. When the drums and cymbals sounded loudly, devotees surrounding the gilding ceremony watched closely, applauding enthusiastically after each segment. The three-hour show concluded with Luang Pho Pae giving gift money to each dragon dance performer.
Afterward, attendees and visitors were invited to pass beneath the dragon's body, a practice believed to bring good health, strength, wealth, and prosperity. Many people queued up eagerly to take part in this ritual.
Mr. Sarayut Painornrin, the temple’s ritual master, revealed that every year during the gilding ceremony of the 99 boundary spheres donated to nine poor temples in nine provinces, there have been winners of the first lottery prize who made merit by gilding the spheres and then purchased lottery tickets, praying that if they won big, they would return annually. Five years ago, a winner from Nakhon Nayok Province won five first prizes. Since then, each year the temple has hired the large Golden Dragon lion dance troupe, Elai Thai, to perform as part of fulfilling promises made to the Buddha statue in the ubosot.
Meanwhile, lottery enthusiasts closely watched the firecracker tails. Before the show, the dragon and lion troupe conducted a ritual by igniting 100,000 firecrackers in two sets of 50,000 each for auspiciousness. When the firecrackers ended, villagers crowded around to check the "lucky numbers" from the lion dance troupe. The first set revealed numbers 138 and 27, while the second showed 476 and 83. After noting the numbers, many rushed to buy lottery tickets from vendors, only to find these numbers had sold out everywhere. Most believe that those lucky numbers will bring fortune.