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Nong Khai Songkran: Thousands attend Luang Por Phra Sai sacred Buddha image procession

Nong Khai Songkran: Thousands attend Luang Por Phra Sai sacred Buddha image procession

Thairath•Society•7h ago

Reader Briefing

Tens of thousands participated in Nong Khai's Songkran festival, attending the sacred 'Luang Por Phra Sai' Buddha image procession and ritual bathing.

  • •Nong Khai held its annual Songkran festival with a large procession of the sacred 'Luang Por Phra Sai' Buddha image.
  • •The event, held on April 13, 2026, at Wat Pho Chai, drew tens of thousands of devotees and tourists.
  • •Participants engaged in ritual bathing of the Buddha image for good fortune at the start of the Thai New Year.

Overview

  • •On April 13, 2026, the sacred 'Luang Por Phra Sai' Buddha image was ceremonially moved from the temple's ordination hall.
  • •Tens of thousands of Buddhist devotees and locals participated at Wat Pho Chai, Mueang Nong Khai District.
  • •The 'Luang Por Phra Sai' Buddha image was paraded around the temple's ordination hall three times for devotees to perform ritual bathing.
  • •Following the circumambulation, the 'Luang Por Phra Sai' Buddha image was placed on a royal chariot for a procession around Nong Khai city, covering over 10 kilometers.
  • •The procession is an annual Songkran tradition in Nong Khai, considered a significant cultural and spiritual event.
  • •'Luang Por Phra Sai' is a sacred Buddha image, considered a symbol of Nong Khai and the Isan region.
  • •The Buddha image is described as being cast in gold and dating back to the daughters of a Lan Xang king, with 'Luang Por Phra Sai' being the only one stably housed at Wat Pho Chai.
  • •The event marks the auspicious start of the Thai New Year.

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Source: Thairath (Original)

Key Entities

Place

Wat Pho Chai(วัดโพธิ์ชัย)
The royal temple in Nong Khai where the sacred 'Luang Por Phra Sai' Buddha image is housed and where the Songkran procession begins.
Nong Khai(หนองคาย)ℹ️
The province and city in Thailand where the Songkran festival and the 'Luang Por Phra Sai' procession took place.

Person

Mr. Saranlak Srikhreunet(นายศรัณย์ศักดิ์ ศรีเครือเนตร)
The Governor of Nong Khai Province who participated in the 'Luang Por Phra Sai' procession.
Mr. Jamlak Kanphet(นายจำลักษ์ กันเพ็จน์)
The Deputy Governor of Nong Khai Province who was present at the 'Luang Por Phra Sai' procession.
Mr. Kittisak Thirawattana(นายกิตติศักดิ์ ธีระวัฒนา)
The Deputy Governor of Nong Khai Province who attended the 'Luang Por Phra Sai' procession.
Mr. Paitoon Mahachuenjai(นายไพทูรย์ มหาชื่นใจ)
The Deputy Governor of Nong Khai Province who participated in the ceremonial events.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Atthachon Chuam-ngam(พล.ต.ต.อัทธชนม์ ช่วงงาม)
The Commander of Nong Khai Provincial Police who was present at the Songkran procession.
Mr. Wutthigrai Changlek(นายวุฒิไกร ช่างเหล็ก)
The President of Nong Khai Provincial Administrative Organization who participated in the event.
Mr. Attaporn Paksukjit(นายอรรถพร ภัคดีสุจริต)
The Mayor of Nong Khai City Municipality who attended the Songkran procession.
Phra Thep Wachirakhun(พระเทพวชิรคุณ)
The Bishop of Nong Khai Province and Abbot of Wat Pho Chai, who led the ceremony to invite the sacred Buddha image.
Phra Phawana Wachiramongkol, Dr.(พระภาวณาวัชริมุนี ดร.)
The Bishop of Mueang Nong Khai District and Assistant Abbot of Wat Pho Chai, who participated in the religious ceremony.