A Thai community has caused outrage by using a Doremon stuffed toy to replace a live cat in a traditional rain-praying ritual. Several months after a severe drought, Doraemon was paraded around Khao Khala, Thailand to call for rain and bring hope to the community.

Faced with severe drought and a record heatwave, the community in Khao Khala performed a traditional rain-praying ceremony called Hae Nang Meaw, meaning “cat parade.” Footage found on X (formerly Twitter) shows several Thai citizens in both ceremonial and everyday attire carrying a caged Doremon through the streets of Khao Khala. The procession walks day and night, with residents celebrating around them and passing around bottles of water.

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The traditional ceremony takes place with a live female cat being paraded around the village while being sprinkled with water. The unhappy “meal” cries emanating from the wet cat were intended to penetrate the clouds and summon the gods above to bring down rain. Cats have never been used for sacrifice during the ceremony, but the decision to use stuffed animals instead of live cats is said to avoid the risk of animal cruelty.

News revealed that the ceremony was not just a prayer for rain but also an attempt to draw attention to the issue in the community and bring people together to support each other and distribute resources. It is known that more than 200 people participated in the parade. The Doraemon stuffed animal was clearly the source of some conflict, as Doraemon is a male cat, and many people called for the toy to be replaced with Dorami, Doraemon's younger sister.

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Doraemon is an extremely popular character and anime in Thailand

This is not the first time Doremon has been used in the Hae Nang Meaw ceremony – he has appeared across Thailand over the past five years as a substitute for a live cat. Doremon has been broadcast on Channel 9 MCOT HD, a Thai state-owned free-to-air television network, since 1982. It is considered a household favorite because of its widespread popularity. and attracts many ages. MCOT recently launched the first “DORAEMON RUN 2024 5k” event in Bangkok – the first in a series of five races taking place in the provinces of Bangkok, Chonburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Phuket and Chiang Mai. Bangkok's top race brings together more than 4,000 participants of all ages — mostly families and all wearing Doremon bibs.

Doraemon continues to hold a special place in the hearts (and rain rituals) of the Thai people. Stormy weather is forecast for Khao Kala on Monday, 6 May and Tuesday, 7 May.

Doraemon

Struggling with poor grades, bullying and bad luck, Nobita Nobi is destined for a bleak future. To fix this, his great-grandson sent Doremon, a blue robotic cat filled with extraordinary gadgets, back in time to guide Nobita. From miniature doors to time machines, each episode introduces a new invention, leading to wacky adventures as Nobita and his friends, Shizuka, Gian and Suneo, explore the possibilities and the consequences of these future tools. Through laughter and mishaps, Doraemon delicately helps Nobita overcome his shortcomings, learn valuable life lessons, and appreciate the importance of friendship and kindness.

Author Fujiko F. Fujio

Artist Fujiko F. Fujio

Release date 1969-12-00

chap 45

Source: X (formerly Twitter)