Villagers in Buaban Subdistrict, Kalasin Province, gathered to continue the Bun Sam Ha tradition by building sand mounds and performing a ritual to honor the "ancestral spirits." Lottery enthusiasts did not miss the chance to observe auspicious incense smoke for "this period's lucky numbers" to try their luck on 16 May 2026 GMT+7.
On 14 May 2026 GMT+7, at the ancient site of Wat Non Ban Kao in Ban Tum, Villages 4 and 19, Buaban Subdistrict, Yang Talat District, Kalasin Province, Police Lieutenant Colonel Pranut Phukhayan, known as "Pho Kha Jam," an expert in local wisdom, religion, and culture from Ban Tum, together with Ms. Patcharawalai Raisai, head of Village 4, Mr. Nattawat Phunasung, head of Village 19, and Ms. Yada Phunasi, a member of Buaban Municipality Council, led villagers and youth in a worship ceremony for the sacred spirit Pu Ho Tai. They built sand stupas, scattered rice flour powder, planted multicolored flags, and performed ritual dances while lighting incense and candles to pray for blessings.
This important activity was held on the Bun Sam Ha day, also known as Bun Boerk Ban or the sixth-month merit, one of the annual traditional merit ceremonies in the Isan region that has been preserved over many generations.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Pranut Phukhayan, "Pho Kha Jam," said that the Isan people's traditional merit-making, after the Songkran festival in the fifth month, is the Bun Sam Ha or Bun Boerk Ban in the sixth month. It includes ceremonies honoring the ancestral spirits, such as the spirits of grandparents. Some communities hold the Bun Bang Fai rocket festival to announce to the sacred spirits, local deities, and tree spirits to request rain and bring peace and prosperity, ensuring rains come in season to nourish crops, protect all life and livestock, and bring success and progress to descendants in their careers.
He added that in Ban Tum, the Bun Sam Ha merit-making takes place over two days. On 13 May 2026 GMT+7, they held a worship ceremony for the spirit Pu Ho Nuea in the center of Ban Tum Villages 4 and 19. Every household brought symbols representing their homes, vehicles, land deeds, and belongings to place at the base of the large tree behind the Pu Ho Nuea shrine for protection and care.
Today, they performed the merit ceremony at Pu Ho Tai, the sacred ancient site of Non Ban Kao, a spiritual place in the community. The ritual included worshiping Pu Ho Tai, building sand stupas, scattering rice flour powder, planting multicolored flags, lighting incense and candles, praying for blessings, and performing ritual dances to seek peace and prosperity for every family.
Moreover, during the incense lighting and prayer at the Bun Sam Ha merit ceremony, villagers and lottery enthusiasts lit auspicious incense sticks to seek luck. The numbers that appeared clearly this time were three digits: 4, 8, and 9.
This caused excitement among many people who believed the sacred spirits provided these lucky numbers to bring fortune for merit-making and education funds for their children, coinciding with the school term opening. They eagerly took these numbers to try their luck by purchasing government lottery tickets for the upcoming draw on 16 May 2026 GMT+7, according to personal belief.
