Donate 50 Baht and Receive Premium Japanese Export Bananas at Renowned Temple on National Labor Day
Wat Tha Pha in Ratchaburi distributed premium Japanese export bananas to devotees on National Labor Day for 50-baht donations, with the fruit supplied by Thai restaurant owners in Japan whose shipment ripened unexpectedly in the heat.
On April 30th, reporters visited Wat Tha Pha in Ban Pong District, Ratchaburi Province after learning that devotees were gathering to make merit donations and receive oversized premium bananas graded for Japanese export, which the temple distributed to the faithful in celebration of National Labor Day.
Upon arrival, the area in front of the traditional Thai pavilion housing a statue of Khun Mae Chi Bun Ruean Tong Bun Toem was found to be lined with hundreds of premium-grade bananas, each marked with a "donate 50 baht per bunch" sign. Devotees enthusiastically participated in merit-making before taking the giant banana bunches to present to Khun Mae Chi Bun Ruean, then bringing them home as auspicious blessings.
Chai Sripho, a committee member at Wat Tha Pha, revealed that all the bananas were donated by Pim Jai and Lek Kaew Jai, owners of the renowned Thai restaurant Kaew Jai in Narita, Japan. Originally destined for export, the bananas ripened faster than expected due to the intense heat and would have been overripe by the time they reached their destination. The donors consequently decided to offer them to the temple to distribute as merit donations, with an entire truckload delivered.
Weighing tests showed the largest banana bunches weighed nearly 8 kilograms, with smaller ones around 4 kilograms. Premium bananas of this grade typically sell for no less than 200 baht per bunch in the market. However, the temple wanted merit-makers to receive quality goods, so anyone donating 50 baht or more received one bunch of these export-grade bananas as a blessing.
Bananas are traditionally offered to Khun Mae Chi Bun Ruean based on the belief that such offerings bring smooth livelihoods and easy success in endeavors, much like peeling a banana into one's mouth.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, the lucky number draw was a highlight for those trying their luck. Committee member Chai drew an auspicious ping pong ball before the statue of Khun Mae Chi Bun Ruean as a National Labor Day gift, revealing the number 547. Local residents quickly photographed and recorded the number, hoping to purchase lottery tickets for the upcoming draw.
