University of Phayao Preserves Lanna Heritage and Promotes Thai Identity
through the Chom Thong Relic Cloth Offering Tradition
The University of Phayao continues to fulfill its mission of preserving and promoting arts and culture by safeguarding Thailand's cultural heritage, traditional arts, and local wisdom. Through meaningful cultural activities, the University seeks to strengthen appreciation of Thai identity and inspire pride in the nation's rich cultural heritage among students and the wider community.
Recently, Associate Professor Supakorn Pongbangpho, Ph.D.President, University of Phayao, presided over the Sacred Water Blessing Ceremony for the Chom Thong Relic Bathing Ritual, held as part of the University's annual Chom Thong Relic Cloth Offering Tradition 2026 at Ang Luang Reservoir, University of Phayao. The ceremony brought together university executives, faculty members, staff, students, and participating units in a shared expression of faith and cultural commitment.
For more than 11 years, the University has continuously organized the Chom Thong Relic Cloth Offering Tradition, reinforcing the close relationship between higher education, Buddhism, and the local community. Beyond preserving an important Lanna tradition, the event provides students with first-hand cultural learning experiences while fostering a strong sense of responsibility for protecting Thailand's cultural heritage.
This year's ceremony was jointly organized by the School of Liberal Arts, the College of Education, the School of Political and Social Sciences, the Lanna Arts and Culture Center, and other university units. Their collaboration reflects the University's commitment to integrating cultural preservation into education and encouraging active participation in conserving, promoting, and passing on Thai arts, culture, and local wisdom.
During the ceremony, participants collected water from Ang Luang Reservoir for the Buddhist chanting ritual and the preparation of sacred water used in the Chom Thong Relic Bathing Ceremony. This year's sacred water was uniquely prepared by combining water from seven significant sources: the Ping River (Chiang Mai), Wang River (Lampang), Yom River (Phrae), Nan River (Nan), Mekong River (Chiang Rai), Kwan Phayao Lake (Phayao), and Ang Luang Reservoir at the University of Phayao. Together, these waters symbolize purity, unity, blessings, and prosperity, reflecting the collective faith of the Lanna region.
More than a religious ceremony, the event serves as a platform for cultural learning and public participation. It encourages students, staff, and the local community to appreciate the value of Buddhist traditions, preserve Thailand's cultural heritage, and pass these traditions on to future generations. The initiative reflects the University's commitment to balancing academic excellence with the preservation of cultural identity and local wisdom.
The University of Phayao will continue the celebration with the Chom Thong Relic Cloth Offering Ceremony on 25 July 2026 at the historic Chom Thong Relic Site in Mueang Phayao District, Phayao Province. The University warmly invites students, staff, alumni, and the public to join in preserving and celebrating this treasured Lanna tradition for generations to come.