Buddhist Lent celebrated with piety

In Ubon Ratchathani’s Muang district, members of the public were wowed by a 12-parade procession whose front parade featured 10 wax candles carved with beautifully detailed images depicting the Thotsachat (10 birth tales of the Lord Buddha). 
The Thotsachat depicts the most-virtuous lifetimes before the Buddha was born into the last lifetime in which he attained enlightenment and achieved Nirvana. 
Tambon Kudlat’s float featuring Thailand’s largest Buddhist Lent candle, with a 1.5-metre-radius and gilt with gold weighing about 99 baht (about 1320 grams), and eight black wax candles, was also popular among visitors taking snapshots. 
The gold candle reportedly symbolised the Royal Urn of HM the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and the black candles denoted his loyal Thai subjects in mourning. 
The event, held in front of Wat Sri Ubon Rattanaram, was presided over by provincial governor Somsak Jangtrakul. Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul and foreign envoys, including those from China and Laos, were present to observe this event, which also included a contest involving 55 carved wax candles. In Nakhon Ratchasima, a grand procession headed towards the Thao Suranaree Monument Plaza featured 50 parades and pleased a crowd of nearly 10,000 people who gathered along Rajadamnoen Road. 

Muang Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality mayor Surawuth Cherdchai presided over the launch of the beautiful procession led by a parade from Wat Mai Sa Pathum in Chokchai district, which has won the annual event’s champions’ trophy 10 years in a row. 
The front float featured a statue of Hindu Lord Indra riding a horse and many mythical creature statues. The central float depicted a miniature Royal crematorium and three main wax candles featuring carvings of the late King’s life and work, and the tailing float was a three-headed elephant statue. 

Meanwhile, Buddhists nationwide made merit at temples to mark the two Buddhist holidays of Asalha Puja Day (Saturday) and the Beginning of Buddhist Lent on Sunday.
In Pathum Thani’s Sam Khok district, families yesterday brought food and candles to offer to monks at Wat Pa Phurithattha Patiparam, while Rayong’s Ban Khai district saw thousands of Buddhists making similar merits of food and candle offerings.
Songkhla’s Muang district saw a large number of Buddhists lined up along the Thale Luang Road yesterday morning to give alms to monks for good luck and for merit for the late monarch.

See more photos: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/photo/view/175