Rap Bua Festival Bang Phli

ประเพณีรับบัวบางพลี

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Religious & SpiritualBang Phli
DatesDates TBACheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCeremony, pilgrimageHeld on the last day of vassa, the
LanguageThaiCurrency: THB
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

Rap Bua Festival Bang Phli in Bang Phli

Bang Phli's Rap Bua, or Lotus Flower Receiving Festival, closes the Buddhist Lent season each October with a canal-borne Buddha image that pilgrims shower with lotus blossoms as an act of merit-making, tied to a centuries-old river legend shared with several other Thai temples along the central delta near Bangkok.

Every year, on the last day of the Buddhist Lent rains retreat, a small fleet gathers on the Khlong Samrong canal in Bang Phli, a district of Samut Prakan just southeast of Bangkok, and something unusual happens: instead of throwing water, as most of Thailand does around this time of year, people throw flowers.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Held on the last day of vassa, the fourteenth day of the waxing moon in the eleventh lunar month, usually coinciding with October's full moon, the festival centers on a boat carrying a replica of the Luang Poh To Buddha image from Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai as it moves along the Khlong Samrong canal in Samut Prakan province

02

The mystery stays covered

Residents lining the banks throw lotus flowers onto the passing boat, since offering lotus blossoms to a Buddha image is considered an act of merit

03

The city starts moving

the tradition is unique to Bang Phli and tied to the local legend that Luang Poh To was one of several Buddha images found floating together in the region's rivers generations ago, a story shared with sister temples including Wat Rai Khing in Nakhon Pathom

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Rooted in the legend that the Luang Poh To Buddha image floated into the area over two centuries ago alongside other sacred images

Water and renewal

Living ritual

and in the Buddhist practice of offering lotus flowers as merit at the close of the Buddhist Lent rains retreat

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA

Getting around

Move patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.

What to wear

Casual, comfortable clothing suitable for a riverside crowd, with modest dress if visiting the temple itself.

Safety

Watch local behavior before photographing, filming, or entering sacred spaces.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Public ritual moments are often free, but donations, transport, or temple access may vary.

Language/currency

THB

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map13.61 N, 100.71 EOpen in Google Maps

Bang Phli, Samut Prakan, Thailand

Nearest airportBKK — Suvarnabhumi
TransportMove patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Bang Phli via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Bang Phli, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare faresFestival gearCasual, comfortable clothing suitable for a riverside crowd, with modest dress if visiting the temple itself.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Thailand and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Rap Bua Festival Bang Phli?

Rap Bua Festival Bang Phli is listed for Multiple months. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Rap Bua Festival Bang Phli take place?

The festival is listed in Bang Phli, Thailand. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Bang Phli, Samut Prakan, Thailand

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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