Culture & Traditions
The Poy Sang Long Ceremony at Wat Ku Tao
Mar
Introduction to the Poy Sang Long Ceremony at Wat Ku Tao
Poy Sang Long (Thai: ประเพณีปอยส่างลอง) is a Shan (Tai Yai) Buddhist tradition celebrated at Wat Ku Tao in Chiang Mai and other temples throughout Northern Thailand. This ceremony serves as a significant rite of passage for the Tai Yai people (also known as Shan), an ethnic group primarily found in Shan State, Myanmar, and Northern Thailand.
This Buddhist ordination ritual marks the transition of young boys, typically aged between 7 and 14, into novice monks, symbolizing their spiritual growth and commitment to learning Buddhist teachings. It is also known as Buat Luk Kaew (Thai: บวชลูกแก้ว), which translates to “ordaining the jewel sons.”
The ceremony takes place annually at the end of March or early April at Tai Yai temples across Northern Thailand. In Chiang Mai Province, this year it is held at Wat Ku Tao, Wat Thaton, and Wat Pak Mueang in Saraphi district. While the ceremony usually lasts three days depending on the location, at Wat Ku Tao, it spans four days.
The meaning of Poy Sang Long
“Poy” means “event” and “Sang” is the word for novice (young monk). “Long” means “descendant of a king” or Bodhisattva. Poy Sang Long therefor means something like “the event of a young boy who will become a novice who is dedicated to attaining enlightenment.”.
This ceremony is a major merit-making event aimed at generating merit for parents and the family while keeping Tai Yai culture alive in Northern Thailand. During the ceremony, the boys wear beautiful, colorful traditional costumes adorned with makeup and jewelry. Male family members carry the boys on their shoulders during the procession to the temple, as the boys are forbidden from touching the ground. This act symbolizes the Lord Buddha’s departure from worldly life.
Each boy is assigned a designated sleeping area accompanied by family members. During the day, the temple becomes a bustling hub of activity filled with family, friends, and visitors. With music, parades, and cultural performances, the atmosphere is truly festive. Experiencing the ceremony firsthand is unforgettable. Below is the program for a standard Poy Sang Long ceremony.
The first day: Wan Ao Sang Long
This is the day of “taking the Sang Long” (in Thai: วันเอาส่างลอง). On this day, the boys are formally presented and brought to the temple. Monks shave their heads, and a ritual bathing takes place. Afterwards, the boys sit on a stage, where they are dressed in princely costumes. They begin their symbolic role as young princes, representing the life of Gautama Buddha before his renunciation.
The second day: Wan Hae Khrua Sang Long
This is the day of the Sang Long procession (in Thai: วันแห่ครัวส่างลอง). It is the most colorful and festive day, featuring large street processions accompanied by traditional Shan music and dancing. People carry offerings to the temple, and male family members carry the boys on their shoulders.
The third day: Wan Kham Sang
This is the final day of ordaining the sang (in Thai: วันข่ามส่าง). The boys remove their colorful costumes and change into simple white clothing. The ordination ceremony then takes place: the boys receive novice robes and become monks for a period of three months.
Wat Ku Tao, a Shan temple
Wat Ku Tao is located just north of the old city moat in the Chang Phueak area. Little is known about the history of this temple. According to legend the temple dates back to the early 17th century. Chiang Mai was part of a Burmese Kingdom in this period. A Burmese prince called Nawrahta Minsaw became the first Burmese-born “vassal king” of the Lanna kingdom. He ruled from 1597 until 1607/08, when he passed away. His ashes were interned in the uniquely “Yunnanese” shaped chedi of Wat Ku Tao. By the way: the temple was also called Wat Weluwan or Wat Welu Wanaram in the past.
A uniquely-shaped pagoda
Only once the Chiang Mai Chronicle mentions the temple: “In the fourth month (16 December-14 January 1762/63) the Burmese Generalissimo Abhayagami with his nine divisions and nine armies came from Ava to encamp at Wat Weluwan Ku Tao, and then besieged Chiang Mai on Saturday, the first waxing of the fourth month (18 December 1762).(p.138)
This chedi resembles a watermelon or gourd. There is only one chedi in Chiang Mai that has this peculiar shape. The name “Ku Tao” is believed to refer to the shape of the chedi. In northern Thai, “ku” means chedi or burial monument, while “tao” refers to a gourd or watermelon. We think it looks more like a gourd than a watermelon.
Poy Sang Long at Wat Ku Tao
There used to be a Poy Sang Long ceremony at Wat Pa Pao, another Tai Yai temple in Chiang Mai but not anymore. Unlike at other temples Poy Sang Long at Wat Ku Tao takes four days. This year, 2026, the dates are March 26-29. It starts on Thursday, March 26, at around 4PM with the shaving ritual after which the boys are dressed in their costumes.
On Friday March 27 and Saturday March 28 there will be parades, music and performances on the temple grounds. The ceremony finishes on Sunday March 29 with a big parade that starts at around sunrise. The procession will move to the sports grounds, adjacent to Wat Ku Tao. After this the actual ordination ceremony will take place.
If you intend to visit Wat Ku Tao during the ceremony, please dress modestly. Taking pictures is usually not a problem but please respect the privacy of the boys and their families.
The location of Wat Ku Tao
The location of Wat Ku Tao is about one km north of the Chang Phueak Gate of the Old City of Chiang Mai. The temple is normally open every day from 6AM until 6 PM but it will be open 24 hours a day during the Poy Sang Long ceremony. There is no entrance fee.
