A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE THAI “TRUT” AND CAMBODIAN “TRUT SONGKRAN” ROYAL CEREMONIES: ROYAL YEAR-END EXPULSION RITES FOR EXPELLING EVIL FROM THE KINGDOMS

Abstract

The objectives of this research are: 1) To study the history background of the Thai Royal Trut Ceremony and the Cambodian Royal Trut Songkran Ceremony; 2) To study the traditional patterns of conducting these royal ceremonies in Thailand and Cambodia; and 3) To study the comparison between the ceremonial patterns of the Thai Royal Trut Ceremony and the Cambodian Royal Trut Songkran Ceremony. This study employs qualitative research methodology through documentary analysis. The sample consists of 7 documents that explicitly describe the patterns of the Royal Trut Ceremony. The research found that: 1) Historical Background​ of The Thai Trut Ceremony adopted the model of occult rituals from Lanka during the reign of King Borommakot of the Ayutthaya period. It was a royal ceremony performed in the fourth lunar month to mark the end of the year, known as the “Samphatcharachin” (the year-end expulsion rite) Ceremony. Meanwhile, the Cambodian Royal Trut Songkran Ceremony during the reign of King Sri Suryophan served a similar purpose to expelling evil spirits, ghosts, and demons associated with the old year. 2) Ceremonial Patterns of the Royal Trut Ceremony in both nations were conducted during the 11th to the 15th days of the waning moon. The monarch would light the Victory Candle (Thian Chai), while Buddhist monks chanted the Atanatiya Sutta, accompanied by the firing of guns until dawn to expelling evil spirits. and 3) In comparing the ceremonies of both royal courts, the ritual objects and procedures are significantly similar. For instance, participants held the krabongphet (cactus) made of palm leaves and various auspicious threads to participate in the ceremony and warding off inauspiciousness. A distinct difference, however, is that present-day Cambodia no longer includes the procedure of firing guns to expel evil spirits. Consequently, the similarities in the patterns of the Royal Trut Ceremony between the two courts demonstrate the cultural exchange facilitated through the institutions of the monarchy and Buddhism. Cultural agencies can utilize these findings to foster good understanding between Thailand and Cambodia through cultural dimensions.