Thailand: A 'Crystal Son' sits atop a relatives shoulders and awaits his final ordination at Wat Phra Singh, Poy Sang Long Festival, Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. Once a year, Wat Pa Pao plays host to the luk kaeo, or "crystal sons" – young Shan boys about to be ordained into the Buddhist monkhood. Many of these novices travel to Chiang Mai from surrounding Shan communities at Mae Cham, Mae Rim, Chiang Dao and Fang. This annual Shan ceremony is called Poy Sang Long. During the day of the ceremony the 'Crystal Sons' and their relatives process from Wat Pa Pao to Wat Phra Singh.

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Photo credit: © Pictures From History / Alamy / Afripics
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