Lottery enthusiasts examine 'lucky numbers' at the eye-opening and consecration ceremony of the 8-meter tall Lord Ganesha statue in the granting blessings posture at Wat Tan Suwan. Observers focused on the crane truck’s license plate and the auspicious solar halo phenomenon.
At 09:00 on 7 September 2026 at Wat Tan Suwan, Don Thong subdistrict, Mueang Phitsanulok district, an eye-opening and consecration ceremony was held. The "large Lord Ganesha statue" stands 8 meters tall in the granting blessings posture, standing upright. It was built with the faith and support of PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited, attracting many Buddhists and members of the public to participate.
The Lord Ganesha statue’s right front hand grants blessings and bears the symbol "Om" on the palm. The left front hand holds sweetmeats called modak or laddu. The other hands hold an axe, prayer beads, and weapons. Below on the right side is the "Mouse Musika" the vehicle of Lord Ganesha, positioned beside the feet.
In the ceremony, Phra Khru Udom Thananyut, abbot of Wat Tan Suwan, presided as the senior monk and performed the candle-extinguishing ritual amid senior monks and laypeople attending. Phra Ratchawachirakorn, the provincial monk leader of Uttaradit and abbot of Wat Tha Mai Nuea in Phichai district, Uttaradit, led the eye-opening ritual for the statue. Alongside him were Phra Rattanamoli, the provincial monk leader of Phitsanulok, Phra Khru Supakitphim, deputy provincial monk leader of Phitsanulok, Phra Khru Sunthonkitirat, another deputy provincial monk leader of Phitsanulok, and Phra Khru Kasemwapi Pisai, the district monk leader of Mueang Phitsanulok, all participating in the blessing and meditation.
The atmosphere was lively, especially among spiritual believers who closely observed the holy water bowls of the five senior monks, all searching for numbers appearing in the holy water to interpret as lucky numbers according to their faith.
Additionally, attendees examined the crane truck license plate 70-6471, used to lift Phra Ratchawachirakorn in the eye-opening ceremony, to use for lottery purposes. The event caused excitement when a solar halo appeared at 11:15 a.m. during the ritual, prompting participants to capture photos as souvenirs and interpret the time 11:15 as another auspicious number. Afterwards, they paid respects to Lord Ganesha to pray for good fortune and prosperity.