**Surin: One of a Kind**
**Making Merit and Offering Alms on Elephant Backs in Surin**
On July 20, 2024, at the Phaya Surin Phakdi Si Narong Changwang Monument in Mueang District, Surin Province, Governor Pijit Boontan, along with government officials, local Buddhists, and numerous tourists, both Thai and international, participated in the unique alms-giving ceremony on elephant backs. This event was organized to mark Asalha Puja Day and the Buddhist Lent Festival. Thirty-six monks and novices received alms while seated on the backs of thirty-six elephants, a practice exclusive to Surin.
This special alms-giving ceremony, a highlight of the annual Candle Festival and Alms-Giving on Elephant Backs event, was organized by the Surin Provincial Administration Organization. The monks and novices sat on the elephants, receiving offerings of dry food and other essentials from the public. Elevated platforms were set up around the monument to facilitate the giving of alms to the monks on elephants. This unique tradition, considered the only one of its kind in the world, drew a large crowd of participants, who were thrilled by the experience of making merit in such a distinctive manner.
Tourists, both local and foreign, were particularly fascinated by the opportunity to make merit and donate to the elephants, which are considered auspicious and significant animals in Thailand. The local Buddhists, dressed in traditional silk or local Surin attire, gathered to offer alms, seeking blessings on this important Buddhist day.
This event, now in its 15th year, is a collaborative effort by the Surin Provincial Administration Organization, Surin Municipality, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and other relevant agencies. It aims to preserve and promote the rich cultural traditions of Surin while boosting tourism by showcasing the unique ceremony to visitors from around the world.
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