Thai Cemetery Holds 30-Table Banquet For Spirits; Locals Claim They Saw Ghostly Figures During Event

Have you heard of Asalha Puja Day, a Buddhist holiday widely observed in Thailand?

Asalha Puja Day commemorates when Buddha delivered his first sermon, and this year, it fell on July 21. On this day, Theravada Buddhists pray, meditate, listen to sermons, and give offerings. Many also partake in merit-making.

For those who don’t know, merit-making is a vital part of Buddhism, and is believed to be a protective force accumulated as a result of good deeds, acts, or thoughts.

In conjunction with Asalha Puja Day, the Siam Ruamjai Foundation in Rayong, a city in Eastern Thailand, organised a 30-table ‘ghost banquet’ at the Chag Phak Kud Temple cemetery.

The celebration was held to make merit for unclaimed spirits residing on the resting grounds.

About 200 spirits were ‘invited’ to the banquet and the tables were lined with Thai delicacies, including green curry, steamed lemon fish, seafood tom yum soup, and desserts.

According to a representative from the foundation, the remains of over 200 people are buried in the cemetery. Some of these remains belong to deceased infants and stillborn babies, many of whom never had merit dedicated to them, and hence they are “hungry”.

The foundation also played the movie Journey to the West for the spirits to enjoy.

According to Thai media Sanook, the event drew the attention of locals, many of whom went down to observe the celebration.

Some people claimed they saw what appeared to be ghostly figures “sitting at the tables enjoying their meals”.

Despite being spooked, many locals believe they are doing something good for the spirits that roam the place.

Photos: NewsChonburiRayong online/ Facebook