The Mon tradition of floating a boat to dispel bad luck In the Thai border region

Abstract

This article studies the Mon culture of “floating boats to ward off bad luck” in the Thai border area, especially in Sangkhla Buri, Kanchanaburi Province. This ritual has roots in Mon beliefs and Theravada Buddhist ideals, symbolizing spiritual renewal, mental purification, and the release of negative energy. This research emphasizes the impact of the Mon on Thai culture and emphasizes the Mon belief rituals, covering religion, architecture, music, and how the Mon beliefs about water affect the Thai border, including the origins of the Mon beliefs about water through historical and anthropological studies. The similar metaphorical implications of water in Southeast Asian and East Asian cultures are also emphasized, linking this tradition to the broader Asian context. The results of the study reveal that Mon culture has had a lasting influence on the identity and intercultural traditions of Thai border communities, promoting spiritual expression and cultural continuity.