The popularity of the legend of Ai Khai (egg boy) -- believed to be the spirit of a boy with the power to grant people wishes -- has increased dramatically in recent months. People who had their wishes granted follow the customary practice of setting off firecrackers and donating rooster statues to the spirit of Ai Khai. As a result, Nakhon Si Thammarat has gained the highest amount of tourism revenue so far this year among 55 targeted emerging tourism provinces. Legend has it that Ai Khai was a young disciple of a revered monk from the South in the Ayutthaya period. Their temperature is checked before they are allowed to enter a pavilion where the statue of Ai Khai is enshrined.

Source: Bangkok Post September 12, 2020 23:54 UTC