As the New Year approaches in Thailand, a unique blessing ritual has once again drawn international attention. Many worshippers visit temples to lie inside coffins while monks chant prayers, believing the ritual helps dispel bad luck and usher in a fresh start.

From late December to early January, temples in several areas, including Wat Takien in Nonthaburi Province, hold the ceremony. 

Participants first offer flowers and incense under the guidance of monks, then slowly lie down in a coffin, symbolizing “death” and “rebirth.” The act represents leaving the past year’s misfortune behind and rising anew to pray for luck and blessings in the year ahead.

Although the ritual has faced criticism online, devotees say such practices are not unusual in Thai tradition. Rather than something macabre, it reflects a blend of Buddhism and folk belief. Beyond seeking good fortune, the ceremony also encourages reflection on mortality, and for some, it serves as a symbol of self-purification and a reset for life.