A heated discussion arose regarding the organization of the Rai Khing Temple festival after a notice was issued to cancel the revered Luang Pho's river and land processions. Residents protested, insisting on maintaining the traditional customs. Ultimately, it was decided to hold the processions as before to avoid discord, with vendor stall auctions generating 48 million baht in revenue.
Reporters stated that at Rai Khing Temple, a royal monastery in Sam Phran District, Nakhon Pathom Province, Phra Ratchawachirasutaporn, the abbot of Bang Chang Nuea Temple and the provincial head monk of Nakhon Pathom, who also serves as acting abbot of Rai Khing Temple, convened a meeting to prepare for the annual Luang Pho Rai Khing gold leaf worship event for 2026, scheduled from 29 March to 6 April 2026. Attendees included Phra Rattanasuthi, assistant abbot of Rai Khing Temple, Mr. Tawit Thiaomapuksuk, District Chief of Sam Phran, Mrs. Thitirath Engsang from Nakhon Pathom’s Cultural Office, Rai Khing Municipality officials, heads of government agencies, educational institutions, Sam Phran Hospital, Metta Pracharak Hospital (Rai Khing Temple), Tha Talat Subdistrict Administrative Organization, and hundreds of local residents.
This year's festival arrangements caused dissatisfaction among Rai Khing residents, who gathered to file complaints with Phra Rattanasuthi, the assistant abbot and most senior monk present. He had verbally informed the temple monks and issued a written notice to relevant government agencies stating that this year’s Luang Pho Rai Khing worship would cancel the traditional processions by river and land, a custom upheld for over ten years. Additionally, the event would forgo charitable food offerings, entertainment, and all types of games. The notice also declared the cancellation of all previous temple committee members, requiring those wishing to serve as committee members for the festival to re-register. This sparked widespread public criticism, prompting locals to petition Phra Ratchawachirasutaporn, the provincial head monk of Nakhon Pathom and acting abbot of Rai Khing Temple, to address the issue and prevent escalation, leading to a meeting involving agencies and relevant committees.
During the meeting, which lasted over four hours, Mr. Wutthichai Wangprom, mayor of Rai Khing Municipality, questioned who had issued the controversial announcement, as it lacked a name or signature. Many devotees of Luang Pho Rai Khing had inquired about this. Phra Rattanasuthi, assistant abbot of Rai Khing Temple, admitted he issued the notice. This sparked debate, as by principle, the assistant abbot does not have authority to issue any temple announcements unless authorized or ordered by the abbot or acting abbot. This caused dissatisfaction among the hundreds of local residents attending the meeting.
Mr. Wutthichai further explained that the Luang Pho Rai Khing processions by river and land, a tradition maintained for over ten years, foster community unity and preserve valuable customs. Each year, Rai Khing Municipality allocates budget to support these processions, never using Rai Khing Temple's funds. The municipality pledged to continue its support as before.
Reporters added that the meeting concluded with Phra Ratchawachirasutaporn, provincial head monk of Nakhon Pathom and acting abbot of Rai Khing Temple, deciding that to avoid division between the temple, community, and residents, the Luang Pho Rai Khing processions by river and land would be held as usual, with Rai Khing Municipality as the organizer. The river procession would take place on 27 March 2026, followed by the land procession on 28 March 2026. The annual festival would officially open on 29 March 2026. The festival committee would remain the same as before, but entertainment activities would be suspended out of respect during the mourning period for the late Queen Sirikit. The previously issued controversial notice was to be revoked.
Following this decision, local residents expressed satisfaction, cheering joyfully. Reporters also noted that the auction of vendor stalls for the 2026 festival generated revenue totaling 48 million baht.