We ventured to Wat Hua Don, in That Phanom early Sunday morning, on 12 October 2025, to observe this annual ceremony. Many temples hold this ceremony to respect the tradition and to raise funds for the temple, once annually. We attended in support of relatives of Ace’s family who were sponsors & donated a large money tree to the temple.

We arrived at the temple around 8:00 a.m. to observe the proceedings. Free food, donated by the faithful, was on offer for all to enjoy. It was too early for me to feast on the Thai offerings, but a bottle of water was welcome.

The Kathina ceremony is an annual Buddhist festival in which laypeople offer new robes and other provisions, such as money, to the monastic community (the Sangha). Observed primarily by Theravada Buddhists, it takes place on one day, of the month that follows the end of the Vassa (the three-month rains retreat), typically in October or November. 

Origin and purpose

The tradition dates back over 2,500 years to the time of the Buddha. 

  • The origin story: A group of 30 monks were traveling to visit the Buddha, but the rainy season arrived, forcing them to take shelter for the Vassa retreat. Upon their arrival after the rains, their robes were wet and tattered. In response, the Buddha permitted lay disciples to offer new robes to the Sangha.
  • A sign of interdependence: The ceremony reinforces the mutual relationship between the laity and the monastics. Laypeople provide the material support needed by the monks, and in return, the monks offer spiritual guidance and teachings.
  • Merit-making: For lay Buddhists, participating in Kathina is one of the most meritorious deeds, generating good karma (Pali: punna) for their next life. 

Aside from offering new robes to the monks, many lay Buddhists sponsor money trees, where funds are collected from the faithful and put onto an ornamented tree for display and then offered to the temple, to support their needs.

Key components of the ceremony

  • Timing: The Kathina festival can be held at each monastery only once during the month-long period following the end of Vassa.
  • Robes: The central act is the offering of new cloth or pre-made robes to the entire monastic community, not to a specific monk. In some traditions, the offered cloth must be cut, sewn, and dyed into a finished robe by the monks within a single day.
  • Other gifts: In addition to robes, laypeople often present other gifts, including alms bowls, toiletries, and building materials for the upkeep of the monastery.
  • The money tree: In Thailand and other countries, financial donations for the temple are often attached to a “money tree,” which is ceremoniously paraded and offered to the Sangha.

Procession: Many Kathina celebrations include a joyful procession led by laypeople carrying the robes and other offerings to the temple. There was a fairly well-organised and well-executed procession associated with this ceremony. The participants involved those who were donating money trees, some Bangkok celebrities, & local temple faithful. All those in the parade were supported by very loud Isaan music to facilitate enthusiasm and dance.

Firstly, those involved all gathered at the temple and then made their way to the assembly point for the parade on the main highway in front of the temple.. They proceeded down the highway & did a U-turn to enable them to enter the temple’s front gate. Here are a few pictures and a video of the activity.

When the parade returns to the Temple grounds, the participants proceed around (circle) the Sala building 3 times, as a required ritual. They then all gather in the Sala for formal ceremonies to hand over the gifts and money to the temple monks.

Check out the 8-minute video that covers the Kathina procession & parade that was held.

Who participates?

The ceremony involves both the lay community and the Sangha.

  • Laypeople (Laity): Organise the event, offer the robes and donations, and often enjoy festive food and cultural performances.
  • Monastics (Sangha): Receive the offerings and engage in communal chants and meditation. The robes are given to the Sangha as a whole, which then distributes them to a monk who is most in need.
  • Eligibility: To be eligible to receive a Kathina offering, a monastery must have hosted at least five monks for the entire three-month Vassa retreat. 

After the Parade

People gathered in the temple Sala, where the Head Monk and a few celebrities hosted a fundraising by auctioning off lottery tickets. A particular hit with the gathered was Feng Shui Master Pernnueng Vvongphudon. Then, a formal Buddhist ceremony took place to bless and accept the donated money and gifts.

As always, when attending a Thai Buddhist activity that I have not previously been to, it is a new cultural experience.

Other Stuff

New Ferris Wheel

We live a simple country life with reasonable access to modern ameneties, neccesities & don’t miss big city life & attractions.

But now it is now reported that a new tourist highlight is coming to out Province by the end of this year, that may increase tourists. There is a Government push to make Nakhin Phanom a destination place in Thailand.

Media report a new tourism attraction in our area. We can expect to ride the new “Mekong River Eye” Ferris Wheel by the end of the year. It will offer a 180 degree view of the Mekong River between Thailand and Laos. The 49-meter-tall giant Ferris wheel is in Nakhon Phanom.

The 45.5 million baht budget includes 28 air-con gondolas, each holding 4 people. Each gondola rides for 20 minutes and will apparently cost 30 baht per ride. It is planned to take over two months to complete with construction underway.

New Hospital Addition

A new building is almost complete for our small hospital complex.  It will apparently have accident & emergency along with clinics & other patient services.

It stands beside a multi story ward complex. It is planned to be finished in the near future & replace services currently housed in very old & run down buildings..

Cheers – until next time posting.