Wat Phra That Pha Son Kaew in Phetchabun Province is crowded with tens of thousands of tourists and Myanmar workers flocking to pay respects to sacred objects and pray for blessings to enhance their fortune ahead of the New Year festival.
On 31 Dec 2025 GMT+7, reporters observed that the atmosphere at Wat Phra That Pha Son Kaew in Khaem Son Subdistrict, Khao Kho District, Phetchabun Province, was filled with tourists from Thailand and abroad. Especially notable were the tens of thousands of Myanmar workers who traveled from various provinces including Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Bangkok, and even within Phetchabun itself. They came to make merit by giving alms to monks in the morning and to pay respect to sacred objects for good fortune for themselves and their families.
Visitors also strolled around the religious sites within the temple and took commemorative photos. This year, the temple built a replica of the Shwedagon Pagoda, further establishing Wat Phra That Pha Son Kaew as a primary destination for Myanmar workers in Thailand to visit and pay respects to the sacred objects representing their homeland.
Mr. Ekachai Kasakorn, a devotee of Wat Phra That Pha Son Kaew, revealed that Myanmar workers as well as Thai and international tourists traditionally come to pay respects and request blessings at the temple during the year-end and New Year festival. This year was no exception, with tens of thousands arriving from early morning, filling nearly every area of the temple. The number of visitors this year exceeded previous years, evident from the increased presence of vans and private cars compared to last year when only songthaews and six-wheel trucks transporting Myanmar workers were seen.
The Myanmar workers began their visits earlier, with many arriving on the 28th, 29th, and 30th of December. The lively atmosphere is expected to continue for another two to three days. Tonight, the temple will also hold a New Year's Eve chanting event to enhance blessings for individuals and their families.
Phra Phawan Wachirapragarn, also known as Phra Ajarn Phra Paramee, advisor to the Fourth Regional Ecclesiastical Office and abbot of Wat Phra That Pha Son Kaew, stated that the temple's construction of beautiful, stable, and strong religious buildings and objects symbolizes the nation's, religion's, and monarchy's enduring strength and beauty for the people.
