10,000 monks receive alms as Korat marks 558 years of city anniversary

2026-03-08 - 03:43

NAKHON RATCHASIMA — 8 March 2026, Thousands of Buddhists gathered early Sunday in Nakhon Ratchasima to receive alms from devotees on Sunday morning for the 10,000-monk almsgiving ceremony marking the city’s 558th anniversary. The almsgiving ceremony began at 06:00 along the roads surrounding the Thao Suranaree Monument, commonly known as Ya Mo Plaza, in Mueang district. The ceremony was led by Phra Phrommasit, a member of the Supreme Sangha Council and abbot of Wat Saket Ratchaworamahawihan in Bangkok, as the senior monastic presiding over the event. The civilian ceremony was chaired by Wichit Kijwirat, deputy governor of Nakhon Ratchasima, representing the provincial governor. Senior government officials, military officers, police, and tens of thousands of Buddhists took part in the ceremony. Participants dedicated their respects to the kings who founded Nakhon Ratchasima, as well as to King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother, and Thao Suranaree (Ya Mo). Monks from six northeastern provinces later chanted Buddhist prayers for good luck before lining up along the roads surrounding the monument to receive alms from the public. The large-scale almsgiving event was first organised in 2008 through cooperation between Buddhist organisations and civil society groups in Nakhon Ratchasima. In 2024, it was elevated to an official annual city merit-making tradition. Thousands in Korat line the streets to give alms to long lines of monks The event is held each March to commemorate the historic victory of Thao Suranaree, the revered heroine of Korat. The programme is part of the Bor-Wor-Ror initiative (Home-Temple-School/Government) led by the Nakhon Ratchasima Sangha and the provincial administration. This year’s event was organised with support from more than 60 agencies, including the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Office of Buddhism, the Provincial Administrative Organisation, Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality, the Second Army Region, and the provincial police. Phra Thep Simaphon, the ecclesiastical governor of Nakhon Ratchasima, said Korat residents are fortunate to unite in large-scale almsgiving each year. “Opportunities to organise such a large almsgiving ceremony are rare elsewhere, but Korat can do it every year,” he said. “It is truly commendable.” He added that the almsgiving ceremony not only strengthens Buddhism but also fosters unity in the community. Food and supplies donated during the event will be distributed to 323 temples, as well as to teachers and soldiers serving in security-risk areas in Thailand’s four southern border provinces. Some donations will also be used to assist disaster victims in Nakhon Ratchasima province.