Devotees crowded to participate in the Buddha bathing ceremony with Luang Pho Pae at Wat Sawang Arom in Nakhon Pathom. Robes were tossed and banknotes handed out to bring luck. Meanwhile, lottery enthusiasts flocked to observe “lucky numbers” for their chance at winning.
This afternoon (27 Apr 2026) at Wat Sawang Arom, Khaekaeo Subdistrict, Nakhon Chai Si District, Nakhon Pathom, Phra Khru Yotithammanuyut, or Luang Pho Pae, a famous monk and abbot, held the temple’s annual Buddha bathing ceremony. Marking the final day of the 2026 Songkran Festival, the grand event served as a farewell to the Thai New Year. Devotees and disciples from many provinces attended in large numbers. The temple set up more than 10 food stalls operated by disciples offering free meals to attendees from morning through the event.
The day’s activities began in the morning with Luang Pho Pae performing a candle wax dripping ritual and inscribing yantras on the back of his hand, symbolically opening the sky, earth, and underworld to bring blessings to devotees on Thai New Year.
After noon, the Buddha bathing ceremony was held for good fortune. 108 monks from nearby temples were invited to allow Buddhists to pour water over the Buddha statues to receive blessings. Nearly 100 elders aged 70 and above also participated in a water pouring ritual to seek blessings. Luang Pho Pae gave large water containers and rice to all elderly participants as a closing gesture for the Songkran Festival.
After the formal Buddha bathing, Luang Pho Pae allowed private bathing of the silver and gold Buddha images, letting attendees take turns. Then, standing atop a table beside the sermon hall, he invited devotees to pour water on him. The temple announcer continuously reminded attendees not to use cold water, as Luang Pho Pae dislikes cold air and fears catching a cold. Traditionally, Luang Pho Pae bathes only once a year on the last day of Songkran in Nakhon Pathom. Over 1,000 devotees surrounded him, requiring staff to manage the crowd.
The reporter also noted that during the bathing, many devotees requested Luang Pho Pae’s robe as a sacred item for blessings. To avoid struggle among the crowd, he removed and tossed the robe to them. Devotees scrambled to grab and tear the robe into pieces, sharing them equally to keep for good luck.
In the afternoon, a traditional merit bridge walking ceremony took place. Devotees lay face down in a long line forming a bridge covered with cloth and topped with red fabric. Luang Pho Pae, regarded as a master monk, walked over their backs using a walking stick padded with cloth. This ritual is believed to dispel diseases and evil spirits. The red cloth Luang Pho Pae walked on is then taken home for worship. Hundreds of devotees and disciples participated in forming the bridge.
In the evening, a Giant Pan chanting ceremony was held. Every final day of Songkran, Luang Pho Pae organizes this powerful ritual to ward off dangers and negativity, wishing for prosperity and success in the New Year. Monks from the original temples renowned for their potent Giant Pan chant were invited. Over 1,000 devotees lined up to attend, prompting additional seating arrangements. The temple grounds were packed.
The reporter also mentioned that this year’s Songkran event included many famous monks from various temples and the revered Ruesi Nen Buddha Deity, a well-known ascetic from Ayutthaya, who joined the Buddha bathing and Giant Pan chanting ceremonies with Luang Pho Pae.
Among the devotees and lottery enthusiasts attending the Songkran closing ceremony, many eagerly awaited “lucky numbers” to try their luck. These included Luang Pho Pae’s age, 68–69, the bathing date numbers 26–62, and firecracker numbers lit before the ceremony, 049 and 26.