Makha Bucha Day is tomorrow. Instead of filling the evening air with candle smoke, why not keep it green by walking with saplings in hand? 

In recent years, Bangkok has made positive strides toward sustainability in religious ceremonies, particularly during Buddhist holy days. Koktail is excited to see this positive trend finally gaining recognition.

This Makha Bucha Day, Buddhists in Bangkok are encouraged to replace candles with young trees during the ceremonial circumambulation procession, or wian tian, turning a long-standing ritual into one step closer towards cleaner air.

With participation from more than 300 temples across Thailand, the sapling procession initiative was supported through a multi-agency partnership led by Tree for Dhamma, ThaiHealth, the Royal Forest Department, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and many others.

This green trend isn’t entirely new, but it’s been picking up momentum in recent years.

Nationwide tree-based processions were first planned for Visakha Bucha Day in 2020. Unfortunately, COVID-19 disrupted those plans, and most venues were called off.

In the end, only Wat Dao Rueang in Mueang district, Chaiyaphum province, went ahead with holding a sapling procession that year.

Once COVID-19 restrictions relaxed in 2022, the tree-based processions returned for Visakha Bucha Day and later Asalha Bucha Day, drawing participation from 70 temples across the country.

What began as a carbon-conscious effort has gradually evolved into a wider push to curb PM2.5, seamlessly integrated into the religious tradition over time.

The microscopic dust remains an everyday challenge, hanging over Bangkok and affecting locals and travellers alike. The initiative has taken on greater urgency than at first glance.

What Is Makha Bucha Day? And Why Is This Year Special?

Makha Bucha Day is the first major Buddhist observance of the year, usually falling on the full moon of the third lunar month. 

It honours the historic gathering at Veluvana in India, where more than 2,500 years ago, 1,250 enlightened disciples came together of their own accord to listen to the Buddha’s teachings.

According to the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT), a total lunar eclipse, often called a “blood moon”, will coincide exactly with this year’s Makha Bucha Day, which falls tomorrow.

NARIT noted that the eclipse in Thailand will last from 3.44pm until 9.23pm (local time) and can be observed safely with the naked eye. As the moon turns a rich crimson, it will lend the night a serene, almost mystical mood.

Miss this one, and you’ll have to wait until New Year’s Eve 2028, carrying over into 1 January 2029, for the next. 

Where to Join in Bangkok?

Phra Nakhon District
Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Ratchaworamahawihan (Wat Pho)
Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit Ratchaworamahawihan
Wat Suthat Thepwararam Ratchaworamahawihan
Wat Sam Phraya
Wat Buranasirimatayaram

Pom Prap Sattru Phai District
Wat Sunthon Thammathan (Wat Kae Nang Loeng)

Samphanthawong District
Wat Chakrawatrachawat Woramahawihan

Dusit District
Wat Benchamabophit Dusitwanaram Ratchaworawihan
Wat Chom Suda Ram
Wat Kaew Fah Chulamani

Bangkok Yai District
Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchaworamahawihan
Wat Hong Rattanaram Ratchaworawihan
Wat Dee Duad
Wat Tha Phra

Bangkok Noi District
Wat Chao Am
Wat Chaiyathit
Wat Mai Yai Paen
Wat Rakhang Kositaram Woramahawihan
Wat Chinorasaram Worawihan

Thon Buri District
Wat Prayurawongsawat Worawihan
Wat Velurachin

Khlong San District
Wat Thong Noppakhun
Wat Phichaiyatikanaram Worawihan

Ratchathewi District
Wat Aphai Thayaram

Phaya Thai District
Wat Phai Tan

Phasi Charoen District
Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen
Wat Nang Chi (Royal Monastery)
Young Buddhist Association of Thailand
Wat Kamphaeng Bang Chak
Wat Ang Kaew

Bang Khae District
Wat Bunyapradit

Nong Khaem District
Wat Udom Rangsi

Bang Phlat District
Wat Phleng
Wat Thong

Taling Chan District
Wat Kai Tia
Wat Kanchanasinghas Worawihan (Wat Thong)

Thawi Watthana District
Wat Wisit Bunnyawat
Wat Komut Phuttharangsi
Wat Puranawat
Wat Udom Tham Wimutti

Rat Burana District
Wat Prasert Sutthawat

Thung Khru District
Wat Luang Pho Opasi
Wat Phutthabucha

Bang Bon District
Wat Bang Bon
Wat Nin Sukharam

Bang Khun Thian District
Wat Sakae Ngam
Wat Kamphaeng

Bang Rak District
Wat Maha Phruettharam Worawihan

Sathon District
Wat Borom Sathon (Wat Don)
Wat Suthiwararam

Pathum Wan District
Wat Chai Mongkhon
Wat Borom Niwat

Yan Nawa District
Wat Dokmai

Bang Kho Laem District
Wat Rueang Yot
Wat Sai

Huai Khwang District
Wat Phra Ram 9 Kanchanaphisek

Suan Luang District
Wat Pak Bo

Khlong Toei District
Wat Saphan
Wat Khlong Toei Nok

Phra Khanong District
Wat Wachiratham Sathit Worawihan

Watthana District
Wat Phasi
Wat That Thong

Prawet District
Wat Kaeo Phithak Charoentham
Wat Thung Lanna
Wat Thung Setthi

Bang Khen District
Wat Phra Si Mahathat Worawihan (Bang Khen)

Bang Sue District
Wat Bang Pho
Wat Matchantikanaram (Wat Noi)

Lak Si District
Wat Lak Si

Don Mueang District
Wat Sai Amphan Emsan
Wat Don Mueang

Saphan Sung District
Wat Lat Bua Khao (Ratchayotha)

Sai Mai District
Wat Nong Yai

Bang Kapi District
Wat Kraisri
Wat Bueng Thonglang

Khlong Sam Wa District
Wat Sammachanyawat
Wat Sutthisa-at

Lat Phrao District
Wat Sakorn Sun Prachasun
Wat Lat Pla Khao
Wat Lat Phrao

Bueng Kum District
Wat Bang Toei
Wat Phichai

Chatuchak District
Wat Samian Nari
Wat Thewasunthon
Suan Mokkh Bangkok

Chom Thong District
Wat Ratcha Orasaram Ratchaworawihan
Wat Nang Nong Worawihan

Din Daeng District
Wat Kunnatee Ruttharam

Bang Na District
Wat Bang Na Nok

Lat Krabang District
Wat Suthaphot
Wat Lat Krabang

Wang Thonglang District
Wat Samakkhi Tham

Min Buri District
Wat Saen Suk
Wat Bamphen Nuea

Khan Na Yao District
Wat Khlong Khru

Nong Chok District
Wat Pa Mongkhon Sunat Wanitchakul

For more information, please visit Tree for Dhamma’s Facebook page.