Why Is a 70-Year-Old Thai Monk Walking 3,000km Barefoot?

Scheduled to Pass Through 24 States from South to Northernmost Over 5-6 Months
Walking Journey to Raise Funds for Phonsawan Hospital Construction in Nakhon Phanom Province

A 70-year-old Thai monk has begun a pilgrimage, walking barefoot over 3,000 km to raise funds for building a hospital. The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Bang Je-il] A 70-year-old Thai monk has begun a barefoot pilgrimage, walking over 3,000 km to raise funds for building a hospital.

According to local media Thaiger on the 20th, Luang Ta Bunchun (73), a monk who departed at dawn the previous day from a temple in Songkhla Province in southern Thailand, plans to walk barefoot 3,145 km across 24 provinces, passing through Chiang Rai at the northernmost part of the country and reaching his hometown in Nakhon Phanom Province in the northeast.

This barefoot journey across the country, expected to take 5 to 6 months, aims to raise funds for the construction of Phonsawan Hospital in Nakhon Phanom Province. The donated money will be used for hospital construction and purchasing medical equipment.

At the ceremony held before his departure the previous day, Luang Ta Bunchun said, "I will continue walking along the designated route, and Buddhist followers can donate if they wish." He added, "It has rained a lot recently, but I am not afraid at all. I welcome more rain." He further stated, "During this barefoot pilgrimage, I will experience the Thai Forest Tradition established by the great Thai monk Ajahn Mun and practice the ascetic discipline of Dhutanga by following in his footsteps."

The ceremony was attended by the governor of Songkhla Province and temple monks, who prayed for the safe completion of the barefoot journey. Monks from Mahathamma Mangalarm Temple, to which Luang Ta Bunchun belongs, also held a prayer ceremony before his departure.

Luang Ta Bunchun is a former soldier who participated in the Vietnam War. After the war, he started a family but became a monk in 2009 to seek the truth. He is also known for his annual barefoot walking practice following the strict rules of Buddhist temples. Last year, he walked 1,500 km barefoot from Phuket Province to Nakhon Phanom Province.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.