CHAIYAPHUM: With skyrocketing pork prices, people in this northeastern province have decided to present salt-baked fish, instead of the usual pigs’ heads, as an offering at a local shrine in return for good health and fortune.
Each year, many people take part in a ceremony to pay homage at the Chaopho Phraya Lae Shrine in Muang district of Chaiyaphum. They believe that the shrine houses the spirit of Phraya Phakdi Chumphon, an important local figurehead in the province.
In normal times, people present pigs’ heads, ducks, chicken and fruit as offerings at the shrine. This year, however, pigs’ heads are in short supply.
Locals said the price of a pig's head has increased from 500-600 baht to 800-1,200 baht. In a bid to appease the holy spirit, they have decided to replace them with salt-baked fish, which sell for about 140 baht each.
"Around every New Year, my children usually offer a total of nine pigs’ heads at the shrine, but the price is over 1,000 baht [each] now. Responsible agencies should oversee the product prices and keep the prices from rising further," said Pornpimol Matrangsri, a 52-year-old Chaiyaphum native.
"Because of the expensive pork prices, we've decided to offer salt-baked fish, along with chicken and ducks, so that Chaopho Phraya Lae can enjoy a greater variety of offerings. Also, we can save more money.
"The government should do more to oversee product prices because the people are adversely affected," 69-year-old Chaiyaphum local Jiraporn Trainarong said.
Worshippers pay their respects to the spirit of Phraya Phakdi Chumphon at the Chaopho Phraya Lae Shrine in Chaiyaphum.