The Thai-Puan community at Wat Ban Mai held the Pu Ta altar worship ceremony for Thao Kho Chon Phai the sacred guardian of the community respected by the people, with offerings arranged according to the number of households.
On 15 Feb 2026 GMT+7, reporters reported that at the Thai-Puan community of Wat Ban Mai, Village No. 4, Ko Wai Subdistrict, Pak Phli District, Nakhon Nayok Province, a ceremony was held to worship the Pu Ta altar of Thao Kho Chon Phai, the community's sacred guardian revered by the Thai-Puan people. This tradition is passed down annually on the 2nd waning day of the 3rd lunar month. Each household brings their own offerings. This year, there were 142 sets of offerings. Each year, villagers often use the number of offerings for lottery luck, frequently winning.
Lt. Nisit Attachareonwong, chairman of the Thai-Puan Handicraft Cooperative Women's Group, explained that the "Leang Pu Ta" ceremony reflects the beliefs of the Thai-Puan ethnic group, which encompasses three aspects: Buddhism, Brahmanism, and spirits. Their ancestors, skilled leaders, are honored after death with the Pu Ta altar, called "Kho Chon Phai" in Puan language. Every year on the 2nd waning day of the 3rd lunar month, the ceremony is held in the afternoon. Each household brings one set of offerings including chicken, white liquor, water, rice, and betel quid. Everyone living in the village participates.
After the offerings are brought, the "Jao Cham" who acts as the messenger to Pu Ta, performs the ritual every year. This year, with 142 sets of offerings brought, it indicates there are 142 households in the community. This cultural tradition has been passed down from generation to generation since their ancestors migrated from Xiangkhouang. Afterward, each household shares the offerings centrally; those who have not returned gather to eat in front of the Pu Ta altar, while some offerings are distributed to villagers who did not attend.