UTHAI THANI, THAILAND – A Buddhist temple in Nong Chang district responded to Thailand’s current fuel shortage by resuming wood- and charcoal-fired cremations as diesel and electric facilities stood idle in many places.
Return to the old furnace
Wat Ma Prao Soong, officially Wat Wang Boraphet, was among the few temples in the area that never dismantled its traditional cremation furnace. While other monasteries converted in recent years to diesel or electric systems, that modernization now posed problems as the newer equipment suffered under the shortage.
By keeping its old furnace ready, the temple aimed to ensure that funerals did not have to be postponed. It sought to spare families additional stress during an already sensitive period.
When diesel runs out, farewells are delayed
Many families were currently facing longer waits for cremation dates because facilities dependent on diesel or electricity could only operate intermittently. The bottleneck affected not only infrastructure but above all people trying to organize religiously and culturally important final rites within a narrow time frame.
According to information from the temple environment, a diesel-fired cremation typically required 60 to 100 liters of fuel to reduce a body fully to ashes. Exactly this quantity was hard to obtain in many parts of the country, making it difficult for some temples to secure the necessary supplies reliably.
Abbot promises reliable procedures
The abbot Phra Kru Uthit Thammakun (58), also known as Phra Ajarn Mayom, said his charcoal-fired furnace remained fully operational and safe.
He described his offer in deliberately pragmatic terms:
“If there is no oil, bring the body here.”
said Phra Ajarn Mayom, abbot of Wat Ma Prao Soong.
He emphasized that the temple could step in when other crematoria had to halt operations. In this way, the monastery presented itself as a backup option for affected communities.
Three to four hours with charcoal
According to the abbot, charcoal-based cremations usually took three to four hours, depending in part on the stature of the deceased. The method was somewhat slower than modern diesel or electric units but was considered reliable and routinely carried out at the temple.
Staff were accustomed to managing the traditional process and timing. The temple stressed that the older technique still met the needs of families under current conditions.
Space for ceremonies and flexible assistance
The temple offered to host complete funeral ceremonies on its grounds, noting that the compound had generous space. Alternatively, Wat Ma Prao Soong would perform only the cremation if the religious service had already taken place elsewhere.
The monastery thus positioned itself as a flexible partner for neighboring communities. It aimed to support both local residents and families coming from other areas affected by crematorium shutdowns.
Donations guided by faith, not a price tag
The abbot underlined that, in the current situation, costs should not become an obstacle and that the temple wanted to help ease pressure on communities. Families themselves were to decide what contribution to make.
As he put it:
“As your faith guides you.”
said Phra Kru Uthit Thammakun, referring to voluntary donations.
He indicated that this approach was intended to ensure access to cremation services for all, regardless of financial means. The focus, he said, was on maintaining dignified rites during the fuel crisis.
Contact and arrangements
Those wishing to arrange a cremation or check availability could contact Phra Ajarn Mayom directly. The contact number provided was 089-859-2681.
The temple invited families facing delays elsewhere to inquire about options in Nong Chang. It presented its traditional furnace as a stopgap for as long as the diesel shortage continued to disrupt modern crematoria.