Buddhist Festival Sales Slow as Shoppers Stay Away

Khon Kaen — As the Buddhist holidays of Asalha Bucha and the start of Buddhist Lent approach, traders in the city's religious supply district on Chuan Chuea Road report unexpectedly slow business. Although these important festival dates are imminent, shoppers have been sparse, with notably few purchases of Lenten candles, incense, rain-bathing cloths, umbrellas, and Buddhist alms sets. Retailers have stocked a variety of ceremonial candles and bathing cloths, but consumer demand remains weak.

Fresh flower prices, however, have climbed sharply. Cosmos flowers have jumped to 130–150 baht per 100 blooms, jasmine has risen from 500 baht per kilogram to 700 baht, and orchids have doubled in price from 120 baht to 300 baht per bunch.

Trong Worrwiriyaprasert, 69, owner of Charoen Paiwan shop, attributes the slowdown to the extended holiday period, which has likely sent people traveling out of province. She notes that while older shoppers traditionally bought nine alms sets for nine temples, modern buyers purchase only one or two. Factory-produced goods have seen price increases; small candles and incense have risen by about 200 baht per case, though she continues to offer rain cloths at 100 baht per piece and alms sets starting at 80 baht.

Sukanya Butpon, 60, a fresh flower vendor, confirms that flower prices have edged up across the board due to back-to-back holidays beginning with the King's birthday, Asalha Bucha, and Buddhist Lent. Although business has not been as brisk as hoped, she has placed advance orders to ensure supply. Despite higher wholesale costs, she is adjusting bundle sizes downward rather than raising retail prices, making purchases more accessible to budget-conscious shoppers.