On October 8, 2024, Pattaya City Mayor Mr. Pramet Ngampichet, along with several city officials and local leaders, participated in a ceremonial chanting event aimed at averting misfortune and promoting longevity during the Pattaya Vegetarian Festival. The ceremony, known as Wan Pai Tao, was held at the Sawangboriboon Thammasathan Foundation (Na Kluea Shrine) and drew numerous devotees dressed in white, reflecting the cultural significance of the occasion.
The Wan Pai Tao ceremony, integral to the Vegetarian Festival, holds great significance for the Chinese and Thai-Chinese communities. Participants believe that this sacred ritual serves as a means to honor and seek blessings from nine deities, which represent the seven Buddhas and two Bodhisattvas. Observers of vegetarian precepts take part in the ceremony with the conviction that these blessings foster joy, clarity of mind, and an abundance of happiness, prosperity, and good fortune.
Pattaya, known for its multicultural environment, attracts a diverse mix of residents and tourists. The city is currently hosting the Pattaya Vegetarian Festival 2024, which runs from October 2 to 12. This festival aims to preserve the rich cultural traditions of the Thai-Chinese community, promote cultural tourism, and stimulate the local economy. The initiative encourages participants to refrain from consuming meat for nine days, promoting health benefits through a plant-based diet. Such practices are believed to enhance digestive health and detoxify the body, providing an additional layer of well-being for participants.
In attendance were Mr. Worapot Phongphali, Dr. Pitiya Phirom-on, Assistant Secretary to the Mayor, Mr. Banlue Kulawanit, President of the Pattaya City Council, Ms. Jidapa Suwatthaphon, a member of the council, and Mr. Wekit Manarojkit, Banglamung District Chief, among other local officials and community members.