One week after the open-air production “Echoes of Faith: The Blessed Martyrs of Song Khon” was staged at the Baan Song Khon Shrine in northeastern Thailand, its director reflected on how the project became more than a professional assignment.
Ing Pokkasina, a theater director, screenwriter and professor at Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University, a state university in the Archdiocese of Thare-Nongseng, directed the sound-and-light production combining live theater, choral music and an original score to tell the story of the first native Thais raised to the altars of the Catholic Church.
“Sometimes, something that begins with just a few words of invitation can evolve into a significant life journey,” said Pokkasina.
A Journey Rooted in Curiosity
Song Khon, in the Archdiocese of Thare-Nongseng in northeastern Thailand, lies along the Mekong River about 600 kilometers from Bangkok.
The village holds particular significance for Thailand’s Catholic community. Seven Thai Catholics, including catechists, religious sisters and laywomen, laid down their lives for their faith there in December 1940.
For Pokkasina, a practicing Buddhist, taking on their story brought both reverence and uncertainty.
“As I learned more about the story of the seven martyrs, a question arose in my mind: How could we translate such a profound narrative—steeped in both history and faith—into a theatrical production?
“How could we ensure that the performance would be more than just a recounting of past events, and instead truly convey the essence of faith so that the audience could genuinely experience it?” said Pokkasina.
The production also required young student performers to understand not only their dialogue but the religious and historical weight of the characters they portrayed.
The most difficult moment came on the afternoon of opening night, Oct. 23, 2026.
After months of preparation, fatigue began to show during the final dress rehearsal. Timing slipped, lines were missed and coordination faltered.
Pokkasina gathered the cast and crew and tried to restore their confidence.
In that moment, he turned to an invocation that had been repeated throughout rehearsals: “Blessed Martyrs of Song Khon, pray for us.”
“To me, as a Buddhist, these words became more than a religious invocation. They served as an anchor for the spirit—a source of hope and strength that empowered us to keep moving forward, even when the future felt entirely unpredictable,” said Pokkasina.
An Unforgettable Night under the Stars
The performance began at 6:15 p.m. before an audience that included local villagers, clergy, bishops and provincial officials.
Lighting, sound, orchestral music and choral harmonies accompanied the retelling of the martyrs’ story.
The climax was staged around a fallen log in the forest where the historical execution occurred.
Through silence, fear and conviction, the production sought to recreate the events of 1940 for the audience.
“It felt as if the faith of the seven martyrs had traversed time, reaching the hearts of both the performers and the audience,” said Pokkasina.
“Looking out, I saw a vast number of people watching the play in stillness and with rapt attention—a sight I had never before witnessed in all my years of working in theater,” he said.
After the performance, local leaders, provincial officials, clergy, religious sisters and villagers approached the stage. Some were in tears as they greeted the performers, who also became emotional after the production ended.
Live broadcasts and online coverage also reached audiences beyond Song Khon.
“Now that it has all come to an end, the memories remain vivid,” said Pokkasina.
“All of these moments remind me that this journey meant so much more than merely fulfilling a professional duty. Everything that unfolded along the way has become a precious memory—one that I and the entire team will hold in our hearts forever,” he said.
