PM Anutin Opens Sacred Water Buddha Festival in Phetchabun
Prime Minister Anutin Chaiwannakul attended the Uumphra Dumnam water Buddha ceremony in Phetchabun, becoming the first prime minister to do so. He praised the tradition as a key cultural heritage and asked for its blessings to bring peace and prosperity to the nation. The event, dating back over 400 years, is believed to ensure seasonal rains and bountiful harvests.
On 11 October 2569 at 10:35 a.m., Prime Minister Anutin Chaiwannakul, accompanied by his wife Thannont Chanwichakul and Public Health Minister Phatthana Phromphat, presided over the opening ceremony of the Uumphra Dumnam tradition at the pier of Wat Bot Chon Mara in Tambon Sadiang, Mueang Phetchabun. In his address, Anutin said he was honored to participate in the long‑standing ceremony, which reflects the faith and unity of Phetchabun residents toward the sacred Phra Phuttha Mahathammatharaja Buddha image and serves as a vital piece of the province’s cultural heritage passed down through generations. He praised the community for preserving the tradition strongly, noting its recognition as a national intangible cultural asset, and urged continued protection for future generations. The prime minister emphasized the government’s commitment to conserving and promoting cultural capital, explaining that such traditions not only affirm national identity but also create economic opportunities and boost local tourism through agriculture, handicrafts, and hospitality. He called on Phetchabun residents to be welcoming hosts and thanked local officials and volunteers for organizing the event. Anutin added that he had received a blessing from the provincial patriarch, who noted his great merit in attending and being the first prime minister to join the ceremony, and he prayed that the merit gained would bring peace, tranquility, and relief from suffering to all Thais while supporting national development. The Uumphra Dumnam ceremony is held annually from 8 to 17 October, a sacred rite over 400 years old performed on the waning fifteenth day of the tenth lunar month, based on the belief that inviting the Buddha image to dip in the Pa Sak River ensures seasonal rains, abundant crops, and societal harmony.
