Maha Sarakham Unveils Memorial Coins for Sao Ha Festival

Maha Sarakham Municipality, working with the Maha Sarakham Provincial Culture Office, organized the Bun Sao Ha festival (the Seventh Lunar Month Festival) at the Kan Tharawichaya Mondop chapel in the municipality area of Maha Sarakham Province from June 8-10, 2569 (2026). The event drew large crowds of government officials, merchants, students, and residents.

For the 2569 celebration, Maha Sarakham Municipality commissioned the creation of sacred commemorative coins titled "Buddha Coins, Vitarka Mudra Edition—Precepts and Virtue Series."

The coins were created to commemorate the Bun Sao Ha festival and to generate donations supporting the Maha Sarakham Long Drum Association, local cultural events, and educational scholarships for high-achieving students.

The coins are rectangular in shape. The front features the Buddha standing in the Vitarka Mudra pose—also called the teaching or preaching stance—with both hands raised to chest level and fingers forming a circle. Two disciples stand on either side with palms joined in respect. The back features a sacred inscription reading "In commemoration of Bun Sao Ha, continuing the destiny of Maha Sarakham Municipality, B.E. 2567."

Production numbers are limited and include the following materials: gold (custom orders), 20 Maha Sethee sets; 9 silver coins; 100 alpaca metal coins; 100 new metal coins; 500 gold-plated bowl coins; 700 fire-finish copper coins; 100 bronze coins; and 400 lead coins for distribution.

The Buddhist consecration ceremony took place at the Kan Tharawichaya Mondop on June 10, 2569 (2026), attended by respected Buddhist monks held in high regard by local devotees, including Luang Ta Gaap (Wat Ban Uparat) and Luang Pho Monunchay (Wat Pa Sattadham), among others.

Venerable Dhammavichira, Special Advisor to Region 9's Buddhist hierarchy, lit the ceremonial candles to begin the rite. Luang Pho Monunchay extinguished the candles, officially concluding the ceremony.

Following the consecration, all the sacred coins were presented to Venerable Thepvichiranyansunthon (Luang Ajarn Suriyan Kothaparnya of Wat Pa Wang Nam Yen, Maha Sarakham Province) and Venerable Thepvachiravidyakum (Luang Ajarn Tom Apassaro of Wat Tha Saebng, Roi Et Province) for individual mental consecration rites.

Given the virtuous intention behind the creation of these coins, the presiding monks approached the consecration with sincere determination, instilling confidence in the spiritual power of the coins. Those interested may contact Maha Sarakham Municipality.