Feed the Fish

  1. Bangkok Connection
  2. Thai Election Kicks Off
  3. Mochit 2
  4. Bangkok Express
  5. Rayong Birds
  6. Talad Thep Chinda
  7. 9 Days in the Kingdom
  8. FAT Festival
  9. FAT Concert
  10. Sticky Tuk Tuk
  11. Birthday Merit
  12. Feed the Fish
  13. Moonlight with DH
  14. Patpong for the King
  15. Paul’s Birthday
  16. Step – Stylish Nonsense
  17. Trading Buddhas
  18. Grand Palace
  19. The Unstoppable Samak
  20. Likay Portraits
  21. Vanishing Marshland
  22. Talk to the Other Side
  23. Bangkok Daybreak
  24. Residencies of Gods
  25. 10 Years Tom Yum Goong Disease
  26. Demolishing Old House
  27. Constructing Bangkok
  28. Not Far from Home
  29. The Lost Three Gems in the City of Gods
  30. Mochit 2 Revisit
  31. Mobility of Faith
  32. Home Song Satellite
  33. Lost in Transportation
  34. Go with the Flow
  35. Error Ferris Wheel
  36. Thailand Random Symmetry
  37. Day and Night at Siam Square
  38. Trap Doors

Wat Hongsa

We go to this particular place, Hongsa Pathumawas Temple (วัดหงษ์ปทุมาวาส), for my birthday merit for another reason. It locates on Chao Phraya River bank in Pratumthani Province, 20 minutes drive from the northern outskirts of Bangkok. The riverside scene not only has less traffic and is more peaceful than the popular tourist spots in the city, the main attraction of this temple is fish. Actually, its nickname is Wang Pla Wat Hongsa(วังปลาวัดหงษ์ – Swan Temple, Fish Palace) because people come here to feed fish as another way to make a merit.

There is always a triangular relationship among animals, human and religions in one way or another. We have been using animals as the medium to the spiritual world since the ancient time. In general, in Thailand, activities that could harm animals including fishing are not allow in Buddhist temples. Hence, they become sanctuaries for all sorts of creatures. Usually, stray dogs and cats are the most common to be found walking around without a hassle. Some places are famous for a particular wildlife such as monkeys, tigers and birds.

By the River

Feed the Fish

Wat Hongsa offers a row of piers for the merit makers to easily feed the fish and they can buy fish food there. Once the food is tossed into the river, the thousands of fish surface and strive for it. To be honest, it is more fun to watch them than anything else.

Picturing the Merit Double Feed On Board Feed

Moreover, there will also be a mass merit making this afternoon. They are preparing fish and food for, presumably, a corporate group along side with the monks to free and feed them. Those lucky fish, obtained from markets, will not be anyone’s dinner if they still hang around here.

Ready to Be Free

Food for Souls

Greetings

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