ALMS-OFFERING ON LAM PLA THIU
This Sunday is the first Sunday following the end of Buddhist Lent. Thus, it is time for Wat Suthaphot in Lat Krabang district, Bangkok to resume its annual tradition of Tak Bat Phra Roi Thang Ruea, or alms-offering to 100 monks in boats.
Along the banks of Lam Pla Thiu canal, 100 or so monks from local temples will board 60 wooden boats known as ruea mat. These traditional boats are created by hollowing out hardwood trunks like ironwood or teak and were commonly used by commuters in the central region in the past.
It is believed that the ceremony of Tak Bat Phra Roi Thang Ruea started more than a century ago. Wat Suthaphot was originally named Wat Suthawat, and was built in 1894 by Chaochom Manda Klin, who was a favourite concubine of King Rama IV, and was of Mon descent. Following the death of the king, she moved out of the palace. She donated land to build the temple. In 1912, the temple was moved to its present location next to the waterway, in order to make it more accessible to locals, who at that time commuted mainly by boat. The name was changed to Wat Suthaphot, but it is also known as Wat Mon by locals.
The temple is an important religious centre for those of Mon heritage. It houses a museum on Mon culture and history as well as a museum of traditional wooden boats. Due to their annual use for the Tak Bat Phra Roi Thang Ruea festival, most of the boats are in good condition.
The procession will start around 6.30am with a boat carrying a Buddha image for people to make merit by offering donations or flowers. This boat will be followed by the 60 wooden boats carrying monks. The event will end at around 9am.
If you want to take part, you can prepare either cooked or uncooked rice, ready-to-eat meals or dried food, desserts and drinks to offer to the monks. At noon, there will be boat races along the canal.
Wat Suthaphot is located on Soi Chalong Krung 8, off Chalong Krung Road.
For more information, visit the temple Facebook page at bit.ly/2ozv5B9 or call at 02-360-6078 or contact Lat Krabang District office at 02-326-9149.