Khon Kaen: Khon Kaen recently held a ceremony to relieve bad luck in the ancient Isan style, aiming to bring good fortune for the Thai New Year. The event took place at Wat Chai Si, a unique location known for its special Songkran celebrations. The highlight of the event was a traditional ceremony designed to ward off bad luck, a practice deeply rooted in the Isan cultural heritage.

According to Thai News Agency, the ceremony was conducted around the Sim, an ancient Isan folk chapel that is over 120 years old. This chapel is adorned with murals, known as hoop taem, which depict stories of Buddhism, local culture, traditions, and Isan way of life. The ceremony is believed to dispel negative influences, enhance one’s destiny, and ensure a prosperous entry into the new year.

The offerings used in the ceremony to worship the planets are integral to the tradition. These include ancient style candles, various types of rice such as black, red, yellow, and puffed rice, along with flowers, tamarind juice, and other items like Thung Cho, Thung Chai, and colored cottons. These offerings are meticulously arranged in a square tong made from banana sheaths, divided into nine compartments.

This year’s ceremony is particularly special as it coincides with the 10th anniversary of the ‘Water Festival 2025,’ a grand celebration organized by the Ministry of Culture, the Department of Cultural Promotion, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, alongside various government agencies and the private sector. The festival highlights the significance of water in Thai culture and life.

The TAT Khon Kaen 2-Way Songkran Tour Group also engaged with the local culture by having lunch at Pasuay Sin Sai, where local dishes inspired by the Sin Sai literature from Hoop Taem Sim Isan were served. Students enriched the event with a puppet show based on the Sin Sai legend, accompanied by Mor Lam singing, providing tourists with an immersive cultural experience.