Chedi Sai is the traditional name for building small sand pagodas at a temple during Songkran.
During this custom, people bring or gather sand at a temple and shape it into small pagoda-like structures. The practice is associated with merit-making and Buddhist temple observance during the traditional New Year.
In some communities, the sand pagodas are decorated with flags, flowers, and other offerings. Bringing sand to the temple is also traditionally connected with replacing sand that may have been carried away on worshippers’ feet during the year.
Chedi Sai should not be confused with Loi Krathong, the festival in which decorated baskets are floated on waterways. Both involve ceremonial objects, but they belong to different Thai festival traditions.