KHON KAEN — More than 100 villagers in northeastern Thailand have revived an ancient rain-making ritual, parading Chi and Doraemon dolls instead of real cats around their community as a prolonged dry spell threatens their rice crops.
The traditional “Hae Nang Maew” ceremony was held on 4 August 2026 by residents of Khon Chim subdistrict in Waeng Yai district, Khon Kaen province, after the area went without significant rain for more than two months.
The lack of rainfall has caused rice plants to wilt, with large areas at risk of dying. Instead of using a live cat, villagers placed Chi and Doraemon dolls inside a cage and carried them through the village in a procession covering more than 3 kilometres.
As part of the traditional ritual, residents splashed water over the dolls while others joined the procession carrying fishing nets, traps, bamboo baskets containing fish and farming equipment, praying for rain to ease the drought.
Chaiwat Dokmaingam, chief executive of the Khon Chim Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, said Waeng Yai district had received almost no rainfall this year, apart from occasional light showers that were insufficient for farming.
Some farmers have reportedly replanted their rice fields up to three times, but the seeds failed to germinate because the soil lacked moisture and had become hard, preventing the crops from growing.
Authorities had previously requested assistance from the Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation Department, but operations could not be carried out due to unsuitable weather conditions. The district relies heavily on rainfall and has no irrigation system to support farming.
The drought comes as several parts of Thailand are experiencing flooding in August. Residents therefore revived the traditional cat parade while also seeking government assistance, hoping that both modern science and traditional beliefs could bring much-needed rain.
Water levels in the Chi River near Ban Chi Tha Wang Wern in Non Thong subdistrict have also fallen significantly, with several sections nearly dry. The situation is affecting Waeng Yai and Waeng Noi districts as well as areas bordering Chaiyaphum province.
Although water management projects have been continuously proposed, they remain under development. The area faces a unique situation, with communities near the Chi River frequently experiencing flooding while areas farther away regularly suffer drought.
Several districts in Khon Kaen, including Phon, Waeng Noi, Waeng Yai and Chonnabot, as well as parts of Non Sila, continue to face drought despite rainfall and flooding in other parts of the province.
The Hae Nang Maew ceremony is an ancient tradition among northeastern Thai communities. According to local belief, villagers parade and perform traditional dances to pray for rain, hoping their pleas will be answered.
This year’s use of dolls instead of a live cat reflects how the tradition has adapted to modern times while preserving the cultural beliefs and local heritage behind the ceremony.
