Thailand: A 'Crystal Son' sits with his mother on the eve of the Poy Sang Long Festival, Wat Pa Pao (Shan temple), Chiang Mai, northern Thailand

Wat Pa Pao is a Shan (Tai Yai) Buddhist temple that serves as a centre for Chiang Mai's Shan community. It was built in the late 19th century.

Once a year, Wat Pa Pao plays host to the luk kaeo, or "crystal sons" – young Shan boys about to be ordained into the Buddhist monkhood. Many of these novices travel to Chiang Mai from surrounding Shan communities at Mae Cham, Mae Rim, Chiang Dao and Fang. This annual Shan ceremony is called Poy Sang Long.

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia