The Traditional Chak Phra Ceremony at Wat Nang Chi Royal Monastery, with the community

BEM, in collaboration with the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) and the local community, is committed to preserving the cultural heritage of the “Procession and Celebration of the Relics of the Buddha”, also known as the “Chak Phra Ceremony”, at Wat Nang Chi, a royal monastery. This ancient waterborne procession, practiced for over 100 years, is held annually and remains a unique tradition in Bangkok, maintaining the original customs of the local community. The procession involves transporting the revered Buddha relics from Wat Nang Chi by boat, reflecting the deep-rooted Buddhist faith and cultural continuity of the region. However, urban expansion and changes in transportation infrastructure have placed the MRT Blue Line route along the traditional procession path, in the areas around MRT Bang Phai and Bang Khun Non stations.

To preserve this sacred tradition and prevent the relics from passing beneath obstacles, which is prohibited according to the customs and practices passed down through generations as well as to minimize alterations to the waterborne procession route, both stations have been designed with an overhead steel bridge above the railway tracks. Additionally, a "Buddha Relic Lift Basket" and its pulley system have been installed to elevate the Buddha relics over the railway tracks and platforms, allowing them to seamlessly rejoin the boat procession on the other side. This initiative plays a crucial role in safeguarding and sustaining this invaluable cultural heritage, ensuring its continuity among the Buddhist community of Thonburi for generations to come.