Thailand’s Largest Golden Dragon Junk Ship Burned to Conclude Vegetarian Festival
Devotees in Samut Songkhram marked the end of the 2026 Vegetarian Festival by burning a massive, hand-crafted golden dragon junk ship on the Mae Klong River.
On October 18, 2026, the Naja Sa Thai Chue Iakong Shrine in Samut Songkhram province hosted a grand ceremony to mark the conclusion of the annual Vegetarian Festival. According to Khaosod Online, nearly 1,000 devotees dressed in white gathered to participate in prayers and rituals intended to send the Nine Emperor Gods back to heaven.
The highlight of the evening was the burning of a giant golden dragon junk ship in the middle of the Mae Klong River at 11:29 p.m. The vessel, which took approximately two months to construct, measured three meters in width and is reported to be the largest of its kind in Thailand. The ceremony, accompanied by the sound of firecrackers, serves as a symbolic farewell to the deities and a prayer for prosperity and protection for the coming year.
For travelers and residents, this event highlights the deep-rooted traditions of the Thai-Chinese community. While the festival has officially concluded, the spectacle remains a significant cultural marker in the region. Observers noted that many attendees sought out numbers on the ship’s bow and stern, a common local practice linked to lottery traditions. As of now, there are no further public events scheduled at the shrine related to this specific festival cycle.
