Samut Songkhram:A giant golden dragon boat has been created at the Na Cha Sa Tai Chi Ee Ya Kong Shrine to bring good fortune during the upcoming Vegetarian Festival. The display features a dragon neck that participants can pass under, aligning with the theme "Plump and Abundant."

According to Thai News Agency, the shrine's disciples have collaborated to construct what is believed to be the largest golden dragon boat in Samut Songkhram Province, and possibly in all of Thailand. This endeavor is in preparation for the Vegetarian Festival, scheduled from October 9th to 18th, 2026. The boat measures approximately 3 meters wide, 13 meters long, and 5 meters tall, and its construction spanned nearly two months. It will play a central role in the ceremony to send the deities Kiu Wong Hok Cho and Chu Ui Hok Cho back to heaven on the festival's final night.

This year, the festival holds special significance, with the boat's bow designed in the shape of a dragon. Participants, including disciples and descendants of Mae Klong's residents, can pass under the dragon's belly for good luck, a practice believed to ward off misfortune and sorrow. The boat's midsection is designed to symbolize prosperity and abundance, offering wishes of good luck and fulfillment to all attendees.

The dragon boat is adorned with symbols such as fish, lotus flowers, cloud patterns, lion's faces, and a pavilion for the Nine-Headed Buddha. These motifs are considered auspicious, with "fish" representing abundance. The boat and its sails feature Chinese inscriptions with positive messages, like "Jek Pang Huang Sung," meaning "when the wind blows, everything will be successful."