Sand Pagodas Created Along Bangsaen Beach

CHONBURI, April 18 (TNA) – The local authorities organize the tradition of building sand pagodas along Bang Saen beach to celebrate the Wan Lai festival in the eastern province of Chonburi.

The Wan Lai festival is part of the Thai New Year celebration mainly held in some eastern and central provinces after the main Songkran Thai New Year events, celebrated in mid-April across the country.

There are activities such as pouring water over Buddha images, building sand pagodas, splashing water, and traditional Thai folk games.

At Bangsaen Beach, the sand pagoda building tradition stretches along the entire beachfront. This is one of the Wan Lai traditions, with the idea of transporting sand into temples for construction or repair purposes.

The sand sculptures often take the form of Buddha statues, pagodas, or other religious symbols, decorated with various materials such as flowers, seashells, and colorful flags to create beauty.

Meanwhile, the municipal office of Sri Racha Municipality on Wednesday (April 17) organized a ceremony to pour scented water over the hands of the elderly to pay respect to them as part of the Songkran and Wan Lai festivities.

Buddha stas were carried in the procession around the city to allow people to sprinkle water over the statues for blessings.  – 819 (TNA)