Po Tek Tung Foundation Distributes 3,000 Aid Packages in Annual Ceremony
Po Tek Tung Foundation distributed 3,000 aid packages across six Bangkok districts during its annual Tipping the Lanterns ceremony, marking a historic expansion to meet rising demand and living costs for the poor.
In a historic first for over a century, the Po Tek Tung Foundation held its 2569 annual Tipping the Lanterns ceremony at the White Jade Thai Hong Shrine, a sacred Buddhist site on grounds dating back 120 years (Don Temple Cemetery), to distribute 3,000 packages of essentials to the poor across six Bangkok districts.
On August 21, 2569, the Po Tek Tung Foundation, led by Vice Chairman Wichit Chinvongwrrakul and Secretary Sirikul Obbhasvongse along with board members and assistants, held a ceremony to launch a convoy of 3,000 aid packages. The packages contained rice, instant noodles, canned fish, fish sauce, cooking oil, snacks, and donated clothing from the White Jade Thai Hong Shrine, commemorating the 72nd anniversary, in Sathorn District. These items were distributed to the poor in six Bangkok districts: Sathorn, Talad Noi, Thawi Watthana, Nong Chok, Minburi, and Rat Burana.
Bangkok Governor Associate Professor Dr. Chadchart Sittipunt presided over the ceremony, joined by dignitaries including Dr. Saowanee Tetchapaiboon, wife of the foundation's chairman, and foundation volunteers led by honorary volunteers Siriporn Obbhasvongse and Sirikul Obbhasvongse, specialist volunteer Narit Withayavrakorn, and artists Duangtaa Tungkamani and Chalermpon Tikhumporttheeravongse.
The previous day, August 20, 2569, the foundation board, including Chairman Wichien Tetchapaiboon, Vice Chairman Suthat Tetchaviboon, and Vice Chairman Sak Korsamrenrueng, along with other officials, held a candle-lighting ceremony to officially open the Tipping the Lanterns event. Chinese Buddhist monks from Bodhi Man Khunarama Temple conducted merit-making ceremonies, including rituals for the earth spirits, Tai Sifu deities, cemetery veneration, merit offerings to hungry spirits, and water dedication of merits.
The 2569 edition marked a historic year as devotees venerated one of Thailand's largest White Jade Thai Hong statues and participated in the Tipping the Lanterns tradition to dedicate merit to nameless spirits at the shrine, a 120-year-old public cemetery managed by the Po Tek Tung Foundation. The foundation resolved to increase the number of aid packages this year beyond previous years to meet rising demand and living costs, reducing household expenses for the poor and expanding distribution to both Bangkok and other provinces. On August 16, 2569, the foundation had already distributed essentials at its cemetery grounds.
