The annual cemetery blessing provides the Thai Catholic community with an opportunity to pay respects to their ancestors and serves as a cherished family gathering.
St. Joseph’s Church, in Thailand’s ancient capital of Ayutthaya, stands as one of the kingdom’s oldest churches and is located on the site of the kingdom’s earliest known church.
The current church building, the third on this site, rose from the ashes of the first two, which succumbed to conflicts over the past 350 years.
The former capital of Thailand boasts a multitude of temples, with many having received UNESCO World Heritage status.
Today, St. Joseph’s Church offers a picturesque view of the Chaophraya River, where glimpses of commercial traffic persist against the backdrop of the city’s ancient skyline.
All photos by Peter Monthienvhichienchai
