Thailand: 4 amazing buddhist ceremonies near Kanchanaburi

If you are in Kanchanaburi province for Asanha Bucha and 3 other major Buddhist feasts of the year (Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha and Loy Krathong), Wat Tha Khanun in Thong Pha Phum district 1h30 from Kanchanaburi will have some amazing illuminations at night (see photos).

wat tha khanun illuminations kanchanaburi

Beautiful candle lightening

Every year, for the four most important Buddhist festivals Makha Buchan, Visakha Bucha, Asanha Bucha et Loy Krathong, the Wat Tha Khanun temple วัดท่าขนุน (see map below) in Kanchanaburi province at the West of Bangkok, organizes ceremonies whose culmination point are Buddhas and Buddhist symbols drawn with candles arranged on the floor of the lower part of the temple.

The temple also has a perched part on a hill, but you have to climb 1173 steps to reach the top and have a beautiful view from above. Fortunately, no need to make such a climb for a good view because we already see very well from the old viewpoint accessible by climbing only 300 steps.

Wat Tha khanun thong pha phum thailande
Photo: Wat Tha Khanun

It looks beautiful! I have only seen it in pictures but I will defineltly go myself one day !

More than 10,000 candles are used to and the monks and volonteers put them in place from 2 pm and lit them around 5pm.

wat tha khanun temple
Placing candles (photo: Wat Tha Khanun)

Wat Tha Khanun

Wat Tha Khanun is a Buddhist temple partly built on a hill which is located in Thong Pha Phum 128 kilometers northwest of Kanchanaburi.

wat tha khanun kanchanaburi thailande
Perched part of the temple (photo: Wat Tha Khanun

From Kanchanaburi, you can go to Thong Pha Phum with local bus 8203 (3 hours drive) or by taking minivans to Sangkhlaburi (2 hours drive).

But do not expect to make the round trip from Kanchanaburi see this festival and comme back to Kanchanaburi by public transport because the last bus or van to go back will be gone long ago when it’s over. It will therefore be necessary to be transported or to sleep in Thong Pha Phum.

Mike Thailandee