Temple fairs in Thailand
As a kid growing up in Thailand in the 90s, the local temple fair was a huge gathering where I’d see familiar faces and have fun on rides. Today, temple fairs in Thailand are a bit of a rarity, save for the huge ones and the ones around major holidays.
Here are the few temple fairs remaining as well as when and why you should visit them when you can.
What are temple fairs in Thailand?
Temple fairs, called ngan wat (งานวัด) in Thai, are essentially pop-up night markets organized by Buddhist temples. These will usually include loads of food vendors featuring local businesses as well as rides for the kids.
These fairs will usually take place around major holidays like Songkran in April or Loy Krathong in November. Ironically, most Buddhist holidays will not have fairs as most activities during those holidays will be more religious and usually consist of just wian tian, i.e. circling the temple’s ubosot (main hall) three times clockwise.
What is the meaning of a temple fair in Thailand?
Historically, temples are community centers. As a result, temple fairs were one of the year’s biggest events and a great hangout for friends as well as a way to meet new people from your community.
Today, temple fairs are much less popular, especially among urbanites. While local temple fairs are still quite big in rural communities, most people in major cities will hang out around university fairs and other pop-up markets instead.
1. Wat Rai Khing Festival (งานวัดไร่ขิง)
Image credit: โรงเรียนวัดไร่ขิงวิทยา : WRK SCHOOL Official via Youtube
Wat Rai Khing (วัดไร่ขิง) will usually host two large fairs per year: one in April and one in October. This year, their April fair runs from 19-27 April 2024. It’ll feature the usual delicious street food vendors as well as a plethora of local country musicians.
The temple is famous for its Buddha image that legends say was discovered in the river the temple is built next to. The Buddha is revered countrywide, so this is a great opportunity to make merit.
Address: P7V5+69, Tha Talat, Sam Phran District, Nakhon Pathom 73210 | Google Maps
2. Phra Pathom Chedi Fair (งานพระปฐมเจดีย์)
Image credit: @nittaya_jangsungnone via Instagram
Phra Pathom Chedi (พระปฐมเจดีย์) is one of the tallest stupas in the world. Every November, they’ll have a temple fair that’ll either run for 5 or 9 days, depending on committee decision.
Apart from the beautiful stupa, you can expect a bustling night market with various clothing, accessories, and knick-knacks for bargain prices.
Address: 27 Tesa Rd, Phra Prathom Chedi Sub-district, Mueang Nakhon Pathom District, Nakhon Pathom 73000 | Google Maps
Opening hours: 7am-5pm, Daily
3. Wat Saket & The Golden Mount (งานห่มผ้าแดงภูเขาทอง)
Image credit: @morning_kamolwat via Instagram
Wat Saket (วัดสระเกศ) is also colloquially known as the temple of the Golden Mount (วัดภูเขาทอง). The Bangkok landmark is famous for its golden stupa atop an artificial hill.
Every year in November, there’s a ceremony where the famous stupa is wrapped in a red robe. People will write their names as well as their love ones’ names on the robe believing that it’ll bring good fortune and karma.
With such a huge gathering, there’s always a huge fair as well. This is especially since it’s right around the Loy Krathong festival as well.
However, the local fair that accompanies the festivities has been put on hold for the past couple of years, so make sure you check the latest information before heading out.
Address: 344 Thanon Chakkraphatdi Phong, Ban Bat, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok 10100 | Google Maps
Opening hours: 7am-7pm, Daily
4. Wat Intharawihan Fair (วัดอินทรวิหาร)
Image credit: @dwngaekhpraesrithsukh via Instagram
Wat Intharawihan (วัดอินทรวิหาร), originally known as the temple of chili-fields (Wat Rai Phrik, วัดไร่พริก), is famous for its standing Buddha. It also hosts an annual fair that will have all the classics that’ll make 90s kids feel nostalgic.
The fair runs from 1-10 March this year.
Address: 144 Thanon Wisut Kasat, Bang Khun Phrom, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200 | Google Maps
Opening hours: 6am-6pm, Daily
5. Phra Samut Chedi Fair (งานพระสมุทรเจดีย์)
Image credit: @its.ninnin via Instagram
Wat Phra Samut Chedi (วัดพระสมุทรเจดีย์) is located next to the Chao Phraya in Samut Prakan. The temple is one of the province’s most revered temples. Its most famous landmark is the stupa, which is known by the same name. The land it was built on used to be separated from the mainland before the water level lowered, which is why it’s also nicknamed the “Floating Pagoda (พระเจดีย์กลางน้ำ)” by locals.
The temple has an annual fair that takes place in November that goes on for around just a bit over a week. You can expect rides and street food vendors galore. There is also a tradition of wrapping the stupa in a red robe weaved by the locals, much like the Golden Mount.
Address: 41 2 Suk Sawat Rd, Pak Khlong Bang Pla Kot, Phra Samut Chedi District, Samut Prakan 10290 | Google Maps
6. Local fairs around major Buddhist holidays
Image credit: @ball_pasakornp via Instagram
But of course, some of the best temple fairs in Thailand aren’t the biggest and most famous ones, but rather the super local ones.
These fairs will typically take place during major holidays. While there are activities during major Buddhist holidays, these tend to be religious activities like circling the ubosot (main hall of the temple) three times clockwise, an act called Wian Tian (การเวียนเทียน) in Thai.
If there’s a big fair, it’ll usually be in April during Songkran (13-15 April) or in November during Loy Krathong (full moon of the 12th lunar month).
Why do Thai people go to temples?
If you ask Thai people, they’ll tell you they go to temples to make merit for good karma. Thais believe in a uniquely Thai brand of Buddhism, which includes the core teachings of Theravada Buddhism mixed with elements of animism and Chinese beliefs.
In practice, most Thais will only visit the temple once or twice a year during major Buddhist holidays.
Make merit and fun at temple fairs in Thailand
Temples used to be the community centres for Thais. While it has become much rarer, temple fairs continue to draw in huge crowds for their unique vibe and sense of nostalgia.
If you’re interested in Thai temples, check out our list of lesser-known temples that not even locals know about. Alternatively, check out this temple that has strict rules that applies even to its ghostly inhabitants.
Cover image adapted from: โรงเรียนวัดไร่ขิงวิทยา : WRK SCHOOL Official via Youtube