Background of the Tradition
It is has been considered a nice tradition for CMU students to hold this annual event since 1964, with the first class of students, 261 of them, on the responsibility of the rector or president at that time, Prof. Dr. Boonsom Martin (M.D.). He came up with the unique idea that would make CMU different from other universities with this impressive custom and tradition worthy to be proud of, since Chiang Mai has the path up to Doi Suthep, once led by Khruba Siwichai, the revered monk who initiated the idea of having the road made, which is the evidence of sheer faith and unity. Therefore, after the orientation of the students in that first year, the President persuaded them to walk up the mountain in solidarity to pay respect to Phra That Doi Suthep to exercise their faith and to demonstrate that they had become students of Chiang Mai University completely. Following the tradition on June 24, 1967
The Student Union of CMU led 850 students to pay respect to Phra That Doi Suthep to promote a nice tradition of the university starting at 6.00 a.m. Students assembled in front of Salatham Building to listen to the speech of M. L. Tui Xumsai, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Rector of College 1 and Acting for the Dean of the Faculty of Social Science, saying, The university has established this tradition for students who come to the university for the first time by walking up the mountain to pay respect to the holy relic chedi not just of Chiang Mai Province but of the entire Kingdom of Thailand. This journey is not necessary for we could go up the mountain by other means or vehicles. However, it is an expression of strong faith that we do not give in to hardship. It is an admirable manner of religious followers of all faith and one that will bring great merit. Going up to pay respect to the chedi is also a students way of asking for the protection under the power of the chedi to ensure good fortune and a happy and peaceful life in Chiang Mai.
This tradition of taking the freshmen to pay respect to the relic chedi on top of Doi Suthep Mountain has been carried out by later generations of students until today. It is one of the unique traditions and pride of CMU that has made a great impression on the new comers who have just stepped into the university.
Reference
Chiang Mai University, Public Relations Section. (1964).
Nam naksueksamai khuenpai namasakan phraboromthat
doisuthep. Mo-Cho Parithat, 1(4), 18. (in Thai)
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