Culture
Rare Wasp Nest Discovered at Buriram Temple Ahead of Merit-Making Ceremony
A rare 'shower' wasp nest was found at a temple in Buriram, prompting a nighttime removal to ensure safety before a major religious event.
According to a report by Khaosod Online Thailand on September 15, 2026, residents discovered a large nest of 'shower' wasps (แตนฝักบัว) at Wat Pa Thung Samakkhi Tham in Nang Rong District, Buriram Province. The discovery occurred within the temple grounds where construction of a new crematorium is currently underway.
The situation became a concern for the local community after the temple’s abbot was reportedly stung by the wasps on three separate occasions. With a major merit-making ceremony scheduled to raise the top of the new crematorium, temple officials feared the insects posed a significant safety risk to monks, construction workers, and the public expected to attend the event.
Sompong Mongkolchat, a 42-year-old local expert often called upon to relocate stinging insects, was enlisted to handle the removal. Sompong noted that while he has relocated many nests in the past, the unique characteristics of this specific nest were unlike any he had encountered, leading him to speculate that the species might be rare or potentially considered extinct by some. Due to the urgency of the upcoming ceremony, the removal was conducted at night to minimize danger. While the nest has been relocated, it remains to be confirmed if the species has been officially identified by entomologists or if further nests exist in the surrounding area.
