BANGKOK: The Governor of Bangkok, alongside city and cultural leaders, participated in the revered “Tradition of Offering Alms to Hundred Monks on a Boat,” marking the continuation of this unique local tradition and cultural heritage.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, and Mr. Surachit Pongsingwittaya, President of the Bangkok Council, led the opening ceremony of the 2024 event, aimed at preserving Buddhism and local waterways, and conserving cultural heritage. The ceremony took place at the pier in front of Wat Suthaphoch in the Lat Krabang District, with Dr. Thirat Rattanawanich, Deputy Minister of Interior, presiding.
The Lat Krabang District Office, in collaboration with Wat Suthaphochan and the Lat Krabang District Cultural Council, organized the annual event. Over 100 monks participated, rowing along the canal to receive alms from devotees. The ceremony included traditional offerings of sweet and savory dishes, reflective of the Mon people’s cultural identity,
and featured a local rowing boat race in the afternoon.
The “Offering Alms to Hundred Monks on a Boat” tradition, rooted in the Mon-Thai cultural practices of the Lat Krabang District, has been observed for over a century. Held annually on the first Sunday after Buddhist Lent, it underscores the Thai people’s devotion to Buddhism and their historical reliance on waterways for transportation. This event showcases the enduring cultural practices of the Lat Krabang community, with hundreds gathering along the Lam Pla Thio Canal to participate. The Bangkok administration and cultural bodies have registered it as a “cultural heritage,” promoting tourism in the district.
Prominent attendees included Mr. Narong Ruangsri, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Bangkok, executives from city departments, cultural council members, and representatives from the Ministry of Culture and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, highlighting the event’s significance.