Fresh from the Temple Gate – Families Carry Merit Baskets and Make Alms Offerings at the Bridge of Merit, Welcoming the Dawn of Sukhothai
Families gathered at Wat Traphang Thong in Sukhothai on May 3 to participate in a nationwide merit-making program that attracted 58,000 Buddhist devotees, blending religious tradition with cultural tourism to support local communities and a
On Sunday, May 3, 2026, the Department of Religious Affairs under the Ministry of Culture, in cooperation with Sukhothai Province through the Sukhothai Provincial Cultural Office, organized a temple merit practice activity called "Family Merit Basket Day, Faith-Filled Merit, Community Support – Bridge of Merit Alms Offering, Welcoming Sukhothai's Dawn" at Wat Traphang Thong's merit bridge in Sukhothai Province. Venerable Phra Maha Damrung Santhajitto, abbot of Wat Traphang Thong, served as head of the monastic side, while Mr. Chaiyapol Sukhiem, Director-General of the Department of Religious Affairs, headed the lay participants. They were joined by Mr. Theeriyuth Samrarnthrup, Deputy Governor of Sukhothai Province, Ms. Thitiya Chaneiam, Sukhothai Cultural Officer, Ms. Thitima Subphak, Director of Religious Support Division, government officials, and the general public.
The Department of Religious Affairs successfully implemented this merit-making program in fiscal year 2568, with approximately 58,000 Buddhist participants joining nationwide. The initiative received strong support from Buddhist tourists who brought their families to temples for merit-making and supported community products at various checkpoints. This effort has revitalized local traditions, regional costumes, and cuisine in each province, creating a cultural tourism asset that generates income for communities, homestays, and hotels, while fostering local wisdom and cultural capital.
The program stimulates economic circulation within communities, creating income through food, clothing, souvenirs, homestays, hotels, and tourism routes. It also promotes local expertise and encourages Buddhist devotees to make merit offerings, observe precepts, and practice meditation beyond just the merit practice days.
Activities at Wat Traphang Thong included paying respects to "Luang Pho Khao" Buddha image in the ubosot, gilding Buddha footprints from the Sukhothai period (1092 B.E.), planting trees for National Tree Day, participating in temple merit practice, visiting local virtue products market, learning centers for creating fish traps, and wood carving demonstrations in Sukhothai Nakhon 3 community.
The "Bridge of Merit Alms Offering at Sukhothai's Dawn" at Wat Traphang Thong is a long-standing tradition where the temple provides space and baskets for devotees to leave offerings each morning. Monks process gracefully across the bridge to receive alms in a practice reflecting the cultural and religious traditions dating back to Sukhothai's reign as capital. Today, it attracts tourists seeking to make merit and receive blessings, aligning with Sukhothai's meaning: "the dawn of happiness."
Near Wat Traphang Thong, a fresh market operates selling local snacks, savory and sweet dishes, flower garlands for worship, traditional clothing, jewelry, and souvenirs for both devotees and tourists.
