Sriracha, Thailand – On October 8th, 2025, an almsgiving ceremony known as Tak Bat Devo was held at the Surasakmontri Monument Square, adjacent to the Sriracha Municipality Office. The event, organized by the Sriracha Municipality, saw participation from local officials, community leaders, and residents, who came together to preserve a cherished Thai Buddhist tradition during the end of Buddhist Lent.
Led by Ms. Jintana Jeeracheewin, Senior District Permanent Secretary of Sriracha, Mr. Praphat Charoensantisuk, Mayor of Sriracha Municipality, and Ms. Korawan Temiyasorn, Deputy Mayor, the event drew a large crowd, including municipal executives, council members, local merchants, and representatives from both public and private sectors. Participants offered dry food, rice, and the traditional khao tom hang (sticky rice balls) to 65 Buddhist monks as part of the Tak Bat Devo ceremony, held the day after the end of Buddhist Lent, on the first day of the waning moon of the 11th lunar month.
The Tak Bat Devo or Devorohana almsgiving is a tradition in Thailand, rooted in Buddhist lore. It commemorates the return of Lord Buddha from heaven, where he preached to celestial beings. According to tradition, large crowds gathered to offer alms upon his descent, but many could not reach the monks due to the throng. As a result, they formed rice into balls and tossed them into the monks’ bowls, giving rise to the unique practice of khao tom luk yon (tossed rice balls), a hallmark of this ceremony.
The event displays the Sriracha community’s commitment to preserving Thai cultural and religious heritage, bringing together people of all walks of life in a shared act of merit-making.
