The Journal of the Siam Society Vol. LXIV, Part 1-2, 1976 - Khamkoo

192 James B. Pruess
noted Thai scholar referred to pilgrimage as a "vacation~ of a semi-religious
nature" (Anum an Ra jadhon 1961: 96). There are no deliberate
austerities or penances associated with such journeys; over-crowded
buses or trucks seemingly without springs are common modes of transport
in northeastern Thailand. One informant stated that if people took
a journey solely to make merit somewhere, then the trip would be no fun.
However, if people went traveling purely for their own pleasure, with
no planned stops at holy shrines, then merit would not be obtained (bun
. bau hiiiit; Central Thai: bun mai thyng). This viewpoint applies not only
to the mtddie-class urban "tourist" but also to the villager who enters
the shrine compound bearing a "money-tree" instead of a camera.
Pilgrimage is usually a group enterprise, with group size ranging
from three or four up to four hundred and over. In general, with regard
to pilgrimages undertaken annually by residents of the locality or region,
the size of the group is proportional to the distance bet ween residence
and shrine. The closer the residence is located to the shrine, the larger
the group of pilgrims, for the most part. The prevailing economic sittmtion
in villages located some distance from the shrine determines the degree
of participation in the pilgrimage, as well as its occurrence on an
annual basis. The expense involves a small cash donation and a contribution
to the cost of hiring a truck or bus, in addition to money spent at
the shrine itself. During the annual festival, this additional expense will
be directed toward the purchase of amulets or consecrated water, donations
in collection boxes, alms to beggars, or shopping and amusements.
Villagers generally bring a supply of food with them (or at least packets
of rice wrapped in banana leaf), although some meals may be taken at
food-stalls set up in or near the shrine precincts. If an overnight stay
at the shrine is required (such stays usually do not exceed two nights).
villagers either occupy large pavilions provided by the shrine, or else sleep
anywhere space is available in the compound. Even if it is not feasible
for all villagers to undertake the journey (participation in pilgrimage being
voluntary), the opportunity is available for tbem to contribute to the
joint community donation which is presented to the monks or custodians
at the shrine. In such cases, names and donations of all contributors may
be recorded on sheets of paper which accompany the presentation of the