BANGKOK, Thailand – The Ministry of Culture reported that more than 12.6 million people in Thailand, across ASEAN, and around the world participated in nationwide overnight prayer ceremonies to welcome 2026. The activities were organized by the Department of Religious Affairs in cooperation with public agencies and private partners, with ceremonies held from December 31 to January 1 to promote Buddhist practice and spiritual well-being.
Participants were encouraged to join the chanting wherever they were during the New Year transition, whether at temples, public venues, or online. Organizers said the program supported calm reflection during the holiday period while reinforcing moral values and social harmony at the start of the year.
Permanent Secretary for Culture Prasop Riangngern said the ceremonies received royal compassion from the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, who bestowed the sacred ceremonial flame for use in chanting ceremonies nationwide. The Supreme Patriarch also granted permission to print his royal initials on ceremonial matchboxes distributed to provincial cultural offices.
Central ceremonies were held in Bangkok at Wat Saket, Wat Arun Ratchawararam, and Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram, with live broadcasts linking provincial temples and overseas Thai Buddhist communities. All 76 provinces organized local ceremonies and New Year almsgiving, while cross-border prayer sessions took place in 14 border provinces, and international participation was coordinated with Thai temples and Buddhist institutions in more than 25 countries.
Data compiled by the National Statistical Office showed that total participation reached 12,613,973 people, including more than 6.7 million attending in person and nearly 5.9 million joining online, up from the previous year. (NNT)
