Heralding the merit-making will be a light and sound show on the evening of October 18. The next day 500 monks will gather at the hilltop temple at 8:30am to receive alms comprising dried food, uncooked rice and desserts, after which they will walk down the temple stairs to bless temple-goers.

The ritual replicates an episode from Buddhist mythology in which Lord Buddha descends from heaven to allow his followers to make merit.

A boat race is also scheduled on Sakaekrung River on the same day. For more details, call the Uthai Thani municipality office at 056-512-005.