Moving into a new house is an exciting time, but it can also be hard work.  Many Thais spend long hours preparing for their official move-in ceremony called Tamboon Bahn or house blessing.  A flawless ceremony ensures that life in the new house starts off on the right track.

After consulting with monks at a temple, an auspicious date is chosen for the actual move-in day.  Saturdays are considered bad luck.  Sundays however, are good days and most people move in on this day.  All the heavy furniture is moved into the house before the auspicious date.

Before the house blessing ceremony at the pre set auspicious hour, the home owner and his/her family will enter the house with their personal Buddha images and some money.  The statues will be permanently set inside the house and must always face either North or East.  The money that is brought in is to ensure future prosperity.  The housewife then prepares a meal (even though the auspicious hour can be an awkward time, like 3am).  This is more of a symbolic action which formalizes the act of moving in and everyone’s settling into the new home.

The house blessing ceremony is usually held several days later.  This gives the home owner time to prepare for the ceremony.  They will make sure that more than enough food is served for guests and the monks and that the house is spotless.  The spirit house it also catered to as well, with more than enough food and offerings placed inside the shrine for more luck.

Usually five, seven, or nine monks are invited to conduct the ceremony.  Before they arrive a white thread known as Sai Sin is spread around the compound.  This is intended to keep out evil spirits and to keep peace and harmony inside the home.  The monks then file into the house and take their places on provided mattresses against the walls, with the senior monk positioned on the right.  A yarn of white thread is passed along between the monks.  Each one holds onto it while in the wai position while they are chanting.  During the chants, one of the monks will hold a lighted candle over a bowl of holy water.  The ceremony lasts until the candle has died out.  There is usually a break in between chants so monks can have their lunch before noon (monks are not allowed to eat after noon).  Once the candle is lit out, the chants stop and the monks sprinkle the water throughout the home.

Afterwards, one of the monks goes outside, painting religious symbols and sticking gold leaves above the door.  These icons will stay there permanently.

The procession then continues inside the living room where the monks throw jasmine blossoms and seeds onto the floor.  Flowers bought by the home owner before the ceremony are passed around to all the guests.  Each visitor raises them above their heads and meditates for a short while.  The procession then concludes into a more casual atmosphere.

If you would like an authentic experience in a Thai home while you are in the country, then we highly recommend our Thai House Experience tour.  Thanks to our gracious host family, you can fully embrace the activities that go on in a typical Thai household.  Our hosts will also accompany you while you explore Bangkok and also teach you how to prepare Thai food.  You may also contact us if you would like to tweak the itinerary of your home stay to suit your needs or see our Thailand tours page if you would like to extend this tour with another of our recommended programs.