| Kathin Ceremony is one of the merit making | | | | forward this ceremony as an opportunity to |
| festivals in Thailand. The ceremony is about | | | | sponsor clothes for monks at least once in their |
| offering new robes to the monks who live in the | | | | lifetime. However, not everyone can sponsor |
| Buddhist temples. The full name of this festival is | | | | since the ceremony can be pretty expensive. |
| "Thot Kathin". The meaning of the word "Thot" is | | | | When this happens, people, who cannot afford to |
| to making an offering to a monk and the word | | | | be sole sponsors, join together perform what is |
| "Kathin" means an embroidery frame. | | | | known as United Kathin. Here different people |
| The Kathin Ceremony is held after the end of | | | | come together to offer gifts to the monks and |
| three month Rains Retreat from July to | | | | share the costs of the gifts. |
| September. People celebrate an annual | | | | People travel to many places in order to celebrate |
| presentation ceremony every year soon after | | | | this festival. Sometimes they even go to other |
| the end of rainy season. They distribute clothes, | | | | countries in search of Buddhist temples located in |
| money, kitchen equipment and other tools to | | | | various places to offer gifts to the monks in |
| monks. | | | | those temples. The Kathin Ceremony is an |
| The people of Thailand believe that the Kathin | | | | opportunity for Buddhists in Thailand to gain merit |
| Ceremony is the most significant merit making | | | | and it is also looked upon as a holiday since people |
| festival. Everyone in the country actively takes | | | | can escape from their regular lives and spend |
| part in this festival. It is said that people look | | | | time with their families. |