Nakhon Phanom: The biggest merit-making event of the Isan region is underway with the Phra Upakut Procession in Nakhon Phanom Province, drawing hundreds of thousands of Thai and Laotian participants. This event marks the beginning of the third lunar month's merit-making activities, with the first day dedicated to paying homage to Phra That Phanom.
According to Thai News Agency, the ceremony is taking place along the banks of the Mekong River in That Phanom Municipality. Participants, including locals and tourists with deep faith in Phra That Phanom, have gathered with offerings such as marigolds to join the sacred procession. The ceremony is believed to have been passed down since the era of King Ashoka the Great, with Phra Upakut, a disciple of the Lord Buddha, playing a central role in protecting and preserving traditional ceremonies.
This year's event spans from February 5-13, 2025, lasting 9 days and 9 nights. The That Phanom District Chief is responsible for inviting Phra Upakut from the Mekong River to be enshrined at Wat Phra That Phanom Woramahawihan. The procession route, extending approximately 1 kilometer, is infused with faith, as people bring flowers, incense, and candles to make merit, scattering popped rice and flowers for good luck and blessings. The event is a significant merit-making tradition in the Northeast, attracting hundreds of thousands of participants, with the local economy benefiting from an influx of no less than 100 million baht annually.
The Upakut procession occurs in the morning prior to the festival's opening day dedicated to worshipping Phra That Phanom, a sacred city artifact over 2,500 years old containing the Buddha's breastbone relic. This tradition has been an integral part of Isan culture since 1976, held from the 8th waxing moon to the 1st waning moon of the 3rd lunar month.