In Nong Khai, the faith of tens of thousands of Buddhists surged as they joined the annual 2026 Songkran ceremony to bring down “Luang Pho Phra Sai,” the sacred Buddha statue symbolizing the city, from the ordination hall of Wat Pho Chai, parading it around the city for locals to pour water over it to receive blessings.
At 09:09 on 13 April 2026 at Wat Pho Chai, a royal monastery in Mueang Nong Khai district, Mr. Saransak Srikhruanet, Nong Khai's governor; Mr. Jamlak Kanpetch, deputy governor; Mr. Kittisak Theerawattana, deputy governor; Mr. Paitoon Mahachuenjai, deputy governor; Police Major General Atchanon Chuangngam, Nong Khai Police Chief; Mr. Wutthikrai Changlek, Nong Khai Provincial Administrative Organization chief; Mr. Atthaporn Phakdisujarit, Nong Khai city mayor; along with provincial officials and devoted citizens, gathered with monks including Phra Thepwachirakhun, the provincial chief monk and abbot of Wat Pho Chai, and Phra Phawanawatrimuni, district chief monk and assistant abbot of Wat Pho Chai.
They led Nong Khai Buddhists in paying respects and inviting Luang Pho Phra Sai, the sacred Buddha statue symbolizing the city, to come down. Designated committee members then brought wooden poles and ropes to secure the statue as it was carried down from the ordination hall to be paraded three times around the hall, allowing locals and tourists to pour water over it.
Every year, this event is eagerly awaited by Nong Khai residents and believers. People brought fragrant water and perfume to pour over Luang Pho Phra Sai. After circling the ordination hall three times, the statue was placed as the principal image on a royal palanquin and paraded around the city for more than 10 kilometers.
It is always a beautiful and impressive sight to see tens of thousands united by faith gathering at Wat Pho Chai.
During the ceremony to bring down the statue from the ordination hall, Buddhists gather densely to receive Luang Pho Phra Sai, the sacred Buddha image that is the spiritual center of Nong Khai and the Isan region. After being brought down, the statue is paraded three times around the ordination hall before being placed on the royal palanquin to be carried around Nong Khai city.
Luang Pho Phra Sai is a Buddha statue in the Mara Vichai posture, cast from golden bronze. According to legend, it was made by three princesses of the Lan Xang Kingdom (Phra Suk, Phra Serm, Phra Sai), with Luang Pho Phra Sai being the only one securely enshrined at Wat Pho Chai in Nong Khai to this day. It marks the beginning of the Thai New Year filled with auspiciousness.
