Thais across the Kingdom, neighbouring countries mark Visakha Bucha Day

Residents in border areas such as Yala, Tak, Ranong, Si Sa Ket and Nong Khai provinces were joined in merit-making events by people from neighbouring countries. 

In Bangkok, throngs of devoted Buddhists presented alms offerings to 233 monks at the Sanam Luang ceremonial ground. In the evening, participants were due to perform a “Buddhamamaka” ritual of declaring themselves Buddhists, followed by a candlelight procession. 

Yesterday’s event was part of an 11-day Buddhism campaign, held from May 29 until June 9. 

The campaign was hosted by the city, the Buddhism Promotion Centre in Thailand, the Department of Religious Affairs and allies. It aimed to promote Buddhism and raise public awareness about the Lord Buddha’s teachings and how they can be applied in daily life.

On June 9, the Lord Buddha’s Cremation Commemorative Day, another alms-offering ritual to 261 monks will be held in the morning and followed by a robe-offering ritual in the evening.

In the western border province of Tak, over 500 residents on both sides of the Moei River came together on the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge to offer alms to 198 monks – 99 from each side of the river. The event was presided over by Tak deputy-governor Suttha Saiwanich and Myanmar’s Myawaddy governor Lwin Ko Oo.

In Ranong’s Muang district, Myanmar people from Koh Song crossed the border yesterday to join Thais and Myanmar migrant workers in celebrating Visakha Bucha Day at Wat Suwan Khiri. They also worshiped at the sacred Dathu pagoda, which was reportedly built by Myanmar people at this Thai temple site.

In Si Sa Ket province, hundreds of Thais were joined by 200 Cambodian monks and 300 Cambodian lay people for an event that included a prayer, meditation, a candlelight procession at Wat Prai Pana in Phu Sing district.

In Nong Khai’s Muang district, provincial governor Suchat Noppawan led Thai Buddhists and Laotian youths to offer alms and attend a candlelight procession at Wat Pho Chai yesterday.

Down South, merit-making events in Yala’s Betong district were joined by both local residents and Thai nationals living on the Malaysian side to mark this Buddhist holiday. 

Not only free people were celebrating this important day – some serving time behind bars also took part. In the northeastern province of Maha Sarakham, the provincial prison hosted a Dhamma training session for inmates to encourage them to practice the Five Precepts and meditation. 

In Uttaradit’s Tha Pla district, provincial governor Chat Kittinaphadol led many residents on boats to attend a candlelight procession at an island in the middle of Sirikit Dam, to worship at the 200-year-old golden pagoda at Wat Doi Phra That. The rest of the city – except for this temple that was originally on a mountaintop – is under water due to a dam built there 49 years ago.

The auspicious occasion also led the Somdet Putthachan-Tho Foundation to organise a moulding ceremony of the 99-metre-long reclining Buddha image at the Somdet Putthachan Vihara in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Sikhiu district. The ceremony was attended by some 2,000 people.