A merit making ceremony in Songkran day is an important Thai tradition that Thai people have been performing for long time.  Many Thai People in Bangkok always get up early and make a merit by buying some food and other essentials to offer to the monks in the morning of the first Songkran day or April 13 of the year at Sanam Luang ground. There are 9 sacred places in Bangkok with Songkran festival that people should do as Thai New year day festival.   According to Thai folk belief, the number ‘nine’ is considered to be an auspicious number. ‘Kao’ – the Thai word for ‘nine’ sounds very much like the Thai word which means to make progress or to take steps forward. Hence, Thais consider making merit at the nine royal temples around Rattanakosin Island to be an auspicious gesture, the right way to start the new year.

Songkran festival or water festival or Thai new year, lots of people go to visit temples for making a merit in Bangkok areas having several temple to visit.  Nine of royal temples or nine of most important sacred places that nice to visit that the tourism of Thailand recommended includes Wat kalayanamitr, Wat Pho, Wat Chanasongkram, Wat Baworn, Wat Suthat and Wat Srakes. Taking a visit to worship nine royal temples for prospitiousness, these temples they are all good sight-seeing spots fro tourist, you can see many beautiful Buddha Images, Pagodas in different style from different period, Ancienct Painting, Sculptures on Stone and Bronze, interesting Thai historic places.  Also Amulets and souveniers.  Many temples are renovation and need lots of money for fixing and constructing temple. It is a chance for help them with donation. They ask for a ‘passport’ to the nine temples at the information desk at any of the nine temples and have the passport stamped at each temple. Visitors who complete the merit-making pilgrimage at all nine temples receive a coupon for a lucky draw. Trying one’s luck of the draw is very much a part of the fun-loving Thai spirit and a love for all things, ‘sanuk’ (fun).

Merit-making in Songkran day does not only buy and offer some food and other things to the monks but also the activities include the ritual bathing of Buddha images. Scented lustral water is poured over Buddha images, the worship of sacred Buddha images, sand-stupa building as well as merit-making to seek blessing for ancestors. The highly revered Phra Puttha Sihing Buddha image is believed to be the spiritual guardian protecting the local community from harm. This Buddhist land-borne procession through the streets of Bangkok presents an opportunity for local residents and visitors of Buddhist faith to make merit. Scented lustral water is poured over the image as a gesture of respect. Southern section of Sanam Luang near the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaeo). Cultural shows and various forms of entertainment will also be presented as added highlights of the evening.