The Hua Hin Blessing of the Fleet ceremony will return on Sunday, 7 September 2025, continuing a tradition that reflects the town’s historic connection to the sea and its fishing community.
Organised by the Hua Hin Fishing Community Committee in partnership with the coastal community, the event will take place at the Chao Mae Tubtim Shrine, next to the Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa. The ceremony, which has been held during the tenth lunar month for nearly two decades, serves to honour ancestors, seek protection for local fishermen, and give thanks for the ocean’s resources.
The day will begin with a blessing ceremony to pay respects to the guardian spirits of the sea, followed by a merit-making meal for monks. Fishing boats will be decorated for the occasion before taking part in the central ritual, known locally as “Sending Misfortune to the Sea.”
Around 4,000 brightly painted clay figurines — representing men, women, and the traditional children figures “Nong Chuk” and “Nong Klae” — will be prepared for the ceremony. Members of the public can take part by making a donation, writing their own name or those of relatives and friends on paper, attaching it to a figurine, and making a wish to remove misfortune.
The figurines are placed in a specially decorated “sea misfortune” boat, which is pulled out to the waters near Hin Klong, an area rich in marine life. At noon, the boat will be released, allowing the clay figurines to settle on the seabed, where they form an artificial coral reef, providing a habitat for fish and other marine species.
The tradition is also a way for families to remember those whose ashes were scattered at sea, particularly when visits to the location are no longer possible. Organisers say it is both a spiritual and practical ceremony, maintaining cultural heritage while also contributing to marine conservation.
Historical roots of the Hua Hin Blessing of the Fleet ceremony
The Hua Hin Blessing of the Fleet is closely tied to the town’s history as a small fishing village before it developed into one of Thailand’s most recognisable seaside destinations. For generations, fishing families have relied on the sea for their livelihood, making rituals to seek protection, good fortune, and a plentiful catch an important part of community life.
The ceremony’s location — the Chao Mae Tubtim Shrine — has long been a place of worship for Hua Hin’s coastal residents. The shrine is dedicated to Chao Mae Tubtim, a revered sea goddess believed to protect fishermen from harm and guide them safely back to shore.
While the modern version of the event began nearly 20 years ago, its origins draw on older maritime traditions from across coastal Thailand, where communities have long marked the change of seasons or lunar months with ceremonies to appease the spirits of the sea.
Although the primary focus of the ceremony is spiritual, organisers have noted its environmental impact in recent years. The thousands of clay figurines released during the ritual are made from materials that naturally degrade in seawater. When they settle on the seabed, they create shelter for fish, crabs, and other marine species, acting as a form of artificial reef.
This unintended conservation effect has been welcomed by the fishing community, which relies on healthy marine ecosystems for its livelihood.
How to take part in the Blessing of the Fleet in Hua Hin
Residents and visitors are invited to join the event on 7 September or contribute figurines in advance at the Luang Phor Nak Hall at Wat Hua Hin from now until 6 September, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.
On the day of the ceremony, activities begin in the morning at the Chao Mae Tubtim Shrine, with the blessing ritual, merit-making for monks, and the procession of the figurines to the sea. The decorated “sea misfortune” boat will then be released into the sea at 12 p.m. sharp.
Organisers hope that both locals and tourists will support the event, helping to keep a part of Hua Hin’s cultural identity alive while also safeguarding the sea that has sustained the community for generations.