On March 11, 2025, the Center for Cultural and Sports Promotion at Walailak University organized the annual Tuad Tumpang merit-making ceremony to pay homage to the university’s sacred site. The ceremony aimed to bring blessings and foster an appreciation for cultural heritage among students and staff.
Held at the Tumpang Archaeological Site within the university, the event was presided over by Professor Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, President of Walailak University, with university executives, faculty members, staff, honored guests, and members of the public in attendance.
The ceremony featured Brahmanical rituals at the Tumpang Archaeological Site, followed by Buddhist rites at the Southern Arts and Culture Learning Center. A sacred Norah dance performance paying homage to Tuad Tumpang, Natya Nora Bucha Tuad Tumpang, was presented by the Walailak Nora Training Center. Attendees also took part in offering food to Buddhist monks as an act of merit-making.
The Tumpang Archaeological Site is deeply revered by the university community and the surrounding public. It is believed to be under the protection of Tuad Tumpang, a sacred guardian spirit. To honor this long-held belief, the university’s Center for Cultural and Sports Promotion organizes the annual merit-making ceremony, preserving this tradition and bringing blessings to the university.
Beyond its spiritual significance, the event serves to instill in students and staff a deeper appreciation for Thailand’s rich cultural heritage and longstanding beliefs. It fosters moral values, encouraging individuals to uphold righteousness, refrain from wrongdoing, and embrace selflessness—whether through charitable giving or contributing physical effort to preserve and maintain the Tumpang Archaeological Site as a valuable center for historical and archaeological learning.
