Chaiyaphum Brutal Ordination Parade 2018

Thais and foreign tourists are invited to witness what could be the most unusual and unique ordination ceremony in the world – the Brutal Ordination Parade which will be held on 2 May at Ban Non Salao – Ban Non Tan, Phu Khiao district, Chaiyaphum province.

Held annually since 1971, normally in the month of May before the Buddhist Lent period, this ordination ceremony is organized for young male villagers of the Ban Non Salao – Ban Non Tan communities at Phu Khiao district in Chaiyaphum who are to ordain to become Buddhist monks.

Each would-be novice is placed on a bamboo stretcher and carried by young male villagers around the village for approximated 3 kilometers. And while they are sitting on the bamboo chair and carried around, they are shaken violently and harshly.

Witnesses may feel the ordination parade looks very brutal but local people believe that this endurance test is like a proof of their real intent and determination to become Buddhist monks. Although those that fall off the bamboo stretcher cannot enter the monkhood, so far, since the ceremony was initiated over 40 years ago, no one has fallen off. Everyone has succeeded in becoming a Buddhist monk.

Editor: John Li