Bangkok: Wat Saket Temple is set to host the "Shining Light of Faith" event, a New Year's Eve prayer ceremony aimed at welcoming the new year 2026 and invoking good fortune through Buddhist tradition.
According to Thai News Agency, the event, which began nationwide, is designed to bring blessings and good fortune to His Majesty the King while marking the transition from the old year to the new. Scheduled from December 30, 2025, to January 4, 2026, at Wat Saket Ratchaworamahaviharn, the event operates under the theme "Precious Faith: Golden Light of the New Year." This initiative is a collaborative effort between the government, represented by the Department of Religious Affairs under the Ministry of Culture, and Wat Saket Ratchaworamahaviharn.
Mr. Chaiyapol Suk-iam, the Director-General of the Department of Religious Affairs and chairman of the opening ceremony, stated that the event is a nationwide auspicious occasion to offer merit to His Majesty the King and to welcome the new year 2026. He emphasized that the ceremony harnesses the power of faith in Thai Buddhism, marking the start of the new year with positive actions and enhancing auspiciousness in life through Buddhist principles. It serves as a spiritual foundation, fostering mindfulness and encouraging virtuous conduct while preserving Buddhism and Thai culture for future generations.
His Eminence Phra Phromsiddhi, a member of the Supreme Sangha Council and Abbot of Wat Saket Ratchaworamahaviharn, presided over the opening ceremony. The event includes a "9 Auspicious Blessings Walk Rally," where participants follow a pilgrimage route to nine sacred sites to accumulate merit before the New Year's Eve prayer ceremony. Attendees can also engage with Thai art and culture, witness a grand procession carrying the Buddha's relics, participate in traditional Thai mask painting, and shop for Thai souvenirs like miniature pottery. Additionally, participants can place their names on auspicious plaques on the Golden Mount, which will be used to cast a Buddha image named "Luang Pho Duang Dee" or "Good Fortune Buddha."
To further celebrate the transition into the new year, Wat Saket, also known as the Golden Mount, will be open to tourists wishing to watch the sunset and admire Bangkok's nighttime beauty until 10 PM from December 25, 2025, to January 15, 2026. The Golden Mount is a renowned spot among foreign tourists for its breathtaking sunset views and stunning nighttime cityscape of Bangkok.