On the late afternoon of August 31 at precisely 3:45pm, Wat Ton Pho Sri Maha Pho in Prachin Buri turned into a buzzing hub of hope, incense smoke and whispered number-seeking. Devotees, lottery hopefuls and curious onlookers packed the temple grounds in Khok Phib subdistrict, Si Mahosot district, all drawn to the sandstone carving of Thao Wessuwan — a revered guardian figure locals often ask for protection, blessings and, yes, lucky numbers.
A crowd with a mission: luck, numbers and a celebrity cameo
The crowd was a colorful mix: families with small children, elderly devotees steadying their steps with prayer beads, eager teenagers filming ritual moments on their phones, and one well-known singer who added a dash of glamour to the scene. Fon Thanasunthorn, recognized across Thailand for both her voice and her philanthropic appearances, was spotted respectfully offering incense and paying homage to the temple’s sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree. Fans couldn’t resist lining up for selfies, turning the normally tranquil temple courtyard into a lively, good-humored micro-festival.
The statue everyone came to see
The stone centerpiece that drew the throng is a sandstone carving of Thao Wessuwan that measures 67 centimetres tall and 90.3 centimetres wide. It stands beside the pagoda that holds the ashes of the temple’s first abbot, Luang Pho It — a placement that blends reverence for lineage with belief in supernatural favor. Worshippers believe that rituals performed here can reveal numbers for the lottery, and many travel from Bangkok and beyond after hearing success stories from friends and relatives.
Rituals, offerings and sensory details
Rituals were performed with careful choreography: devotees lit incense sticks until the air shimmered with intention, knelt to make offerings, and wrapped red cloth around the statue in the hope of attracting good fortune. The most common offerings were specific and symbolic — nine incense sticks, nine red roses, red soft drinks, and red fabric — each item chosen for its auspicious connotations. The aroma of smoldering incense, the bright flash of red among otherwise muted temple colors, and the low murmur of prayers made the experience almost cinematic.
Saroj, a Bangkok resident, attended with his family after reading reports of successful lottery picks tied to the temple. He joined the queue, made the customary offerings and watched intently for the numbers revealed during the ritual. Like many there, he left with a hopeful smile and a set of figures to test fate on the upcoming September 1 draw.
Sacred tree draws its own visitors
Beyond the statue, the Sri Maha Bodhi tree proved to be another spiritual magnet. Recognized by the Fine Arts Department as an archaeological artefact, this ancient tree offers many Thais the chance to receive blessings without the long pilgrimage to India. Worshippers circled the tree, tied threads and left small tokens, treating it as both a historical relic and a living conduit for prayers. The tree’s quiet dignity balanced the energetic human activity around the statue, reminding visitors that the temple is as much about continuity and history as it is about immediate fortune.
Community, curiosity and a sprinkle of superstition
Local monks, including Phra Kru Nithet Thammanukun — acting abbot of Wat Sa Ngam and deputy chief district monk of Mueang Prachin Buri — oversaw the respectful flow of devotees and answered questions about ritual practice. Their presence added solemnity to the hopeful bustle. Tourists and locals alike took photos, shared snacks, and traded rumors: who had recently won after a similar visit, which number popped up during an incense-burning ritual, and which offerings seemed luckier than others.
It’s part ceremony, part community theater. For many, the temple visit is a weekend tradition: a moment to reset intentions, connect with neighbors, and indulge a culturally embedded game of chance. For some, it’s a spiritual visit with a hopeful twist. For others, it’s simply a chance encounter with local customs and a well-known singer.
After the smoke clears
When the incense smoke thinned and the last of the red cloths were secured around the statue, the temple returned to its usual calm. People left clutching small slips of paper or numbers whispered among family members, heading home with the warm glow of ritual still lingering in their pockets. Whether those numbers will turn into winnings on the September 1 draw remains to be seen, but on that late summer afternoon, Wat Ton Pho Sri Maha Pho in Prachin Buri offered something perhaps more enduring than cash: a shared moment of hope, a sense of belonging, and the comforting feeling that some traditions keep luck within reach for anyone willing to believe.
Photo credit: KhaoSod
Beautiful scene in the article but it worries me that people mix devotion with gambling hopes so casually. Temples are community anchors and I get the comfort, yet the lottery angle can prey on the vulnerable. Still, I was glad to read that monks maintained order and respect.
I think it looks fun and I want to go get numbers too, it feels like a treasure hunt. My aunt says she once won a small prize after visiting a temple. Why is everyone so serious about this?
Shouting ‘fun’ is fine, Tom, but there are layers here: ritual, hope, and sometimes exploitation. If you go, bring respect and don’t spend money you need for food on lottery tickets.
From an anthropological standpoint, this practice blends sacred symbolism with contemporary risk-taking behavior. The temple functions as a moral economy where intangible returns like community belonging are as important as any monetary gain. We should study how such rituals affect local consumption and social cohesion.
Thanks for the context, Professor. That explains why my neighbor started volunteering there after a big win and keeps bringing lunch to the monks.
This is classic: religious sites being used as lottery factories. It’s irresponsible and sad. Temples should shelter spiritual needs, not line the pockets of ticket sellers and false prophets.
You make it sound so black and white, Joe. For many people it’s a harmless tradition and a way to feel hopeful on a hard day.
As someone from the provinces, I see both sides. The little money spent on a ticket funds local markets and gives people a dream. But we also know families who lost too much chasing luck.
Harmless? It normalizes gambling within a sacred setting and preys on credulity. I respect cultural practices, but this crosses a line when ministers or priests tacitly endorse number-seeking.
Joe, you talk like you never sat at a temple table sharing sticky rice hoping for good fortune. Traditions change, but they also feed our souls in community ways.
I love that the Sri Maha Bodhi is recognized as an artefact, it makes me proud. Tying threads and leaving small tokens keeps the past alive and teaches kids about history. People can seek numbers and still be respectful, in my view.
Proud, yes, but don’t romanticize the lottery aspect. Folk religion adapting to consumer culture often creates dependency and distracts from real social solutions.
We do charity after rituals, and the temple organizes help for the poor. Those who say it’s only about gambling forget the food drives and baby-name ceremonies.
The article captures a useful case study: how religious heritage sites become nodes in local economies. There is a predictable pattern where celebrity visits amplify demand, sometimes converting intangible cultural capital into tangible commerce.
Exactly. The presence of Fon Thanasunthorn likely increased visibility and foot traffic, which could be quantified in short-term donations and long-term pilgrimage patterns. We should gather data on post-visit spikes.
As a local guide, I can say celebrity visits change the crowd profile instantly — more selfies, more spending, sometimes less reverence. It is a delicate balance.
Agreed. My worry is commodification: when rituals are adapted for tourists, meanings shift and some community rights over heritage can be eroded.
I was so happy seeing Fon Thanasunthorn there, she always brings light. Celebrities can spotlight traditions and encourage young people to care. Selfies are not always disrespectful, sometimes they’re modern devotion.
Spotlight is a double-edged sword. Your presence can boost donations but also invite commercialization like souvenir stalls taking over sacred spaces.
Selfies ARE devotion if my Insta followers get inspired to learn about the temple, right? I think it’s fine.
Tom, exactly! If young people engage, that keeps traditions alive. But we should also teach proper behavior when inside the temple grounds.
I am in 6th grade and I think the tree looks like something from a storybook. Do people really whisper numbers into incense? That sounds magical and a little weird.
Yes Priya, it’s part of folk practice. Grown-ups interpret signs differently, but the ritual gives comfort. Good that you notice both magic and strangeness.
Keep asking questions, child. Many rituals look strange until you learn the history and reasons behind them.
As someone who follows the news, I appreciate the human side of this piece more than sensationalist coverage. It shows how ordinary faith and celebrity culture intersect. Still curious whether any winners from this visit will be reported after the draw.
We try to follow up on lead stories, and local reporters often check draws for notable claims. It would be interesting to see if coverage changes public interest in the temple.
If the paper tracks winners, please also highlight the temple’s community projects so readers see the full picture and not just the lottery angle.
Also, please remind readers about responsible spending when writing follow-ups. Hope is not a license to overspend.
I visited a similar temple last year and the atmosphere was exactly like this article describes. It felt cinematic and oddly moving, even for a tourist who doesn’t share the beliefs. I bought a small offering and felt part of the moment.
As an elder who grew up near temples, I see continuity and change. People have always sought blessings and signs, but today the scale is bigger and faster. Rituals must adapt, but the core values should remain.
Community guidance is crucial. Monks here try to teach that ritual is for spiritual development, not mere fortune. We welcome respectful visitors and caution against greed.
Thank you for your leadership, Phra Kru. Your voice helps re-center practice back to mindfulness rather than money.
I find it problematic when religious artifacts are treated like tourist attractions, yet I also cherish heritage tourism. The balance matters and local management should decide.
Tourism brings money and awareness but it can also strip context. Maybe a code of conduct and small entrance fee for maintenance would help.
Not all names and numbers come from incense; many come from family stories and old calendars. The article captured that patchwork tradition well in my opinion.
I worry about vulnerable people who believe this will solve economic problems. Rituals can soothe, but policy and social support are what prevent cycles of hope and disappointment.
I personally won something small after visiting a shrine once, so I’m inclined to believe in these rituals. Anecdotes aren’t data, but for me they matter and shape how I live.
This phenomenon is a mirror to modernity: ancient symbols reused for contemporary anxieties. The celebrity cameo is a final twist — fame lubricates tradition into spectacle.
The red cloths and roses looked so pretty but a lot of people didn’t clean up after. Temples should encourage taking offerings materials home to avoid littering.
Why do we give mystical significance to numbers extracted from smoke patterns or tree scars? Humans spot patterns and invent meaning; that’s all this is in many cases.
Having monks oversee rituals is important. They can prevent scams and provide ethical framing, but they also must be vigilant against commercialization pressures.
I tied a thread around a Bodhi tree last month and felt strangely calm. Whether numbers come true or not, rituals anchor me before big life steps like marriage.
From a macro angle, small rituals can redistribute cash locally through marketplaces, but they don’t substitute for structural investment. Policy should support heritage while protecting citizens from predatory gambling.
Belief systems serve both existential and social roles. Whether the numbers are ‘real’ is less crucial than their function in creating hope and collective meaning.
I dislike the idea of celebrities unintentionally encouraging superstition, but I also think we can mobilize their influence to promote education on responsible gaming. It’s an opportunity.
We sell red drinks and flowers at festivals, and these visits bring customers. But when a temple becomes too crowded, it affects residents’ daily life and access to public space.
The Sri Maha Bodhi tree’s recognition by the Fine Arts Department is crucial; it helps protect the site legally and culturally. Documentation keeps traditions from being erased by tourism’s pace.
Why do adults always tell us to ‘respect the temple’ but then they shout for lottery numbers? Feels hypocritical and funny at the same time.
I remember when temples were quieter. Now everything is louder and faster, but people still find solace. Maybe that’s the only constant we can rely on.
I wanted to add that if anyone visits, please be mindful of local customs and the environment. Bring reusable offerings when possible and ask before taking photos of people, especially monks.