Large numbers make merit, witness first sunrise of 2018 around the Kingdom
People celebrated the first day of 2018 by making merit at their local temples and watching the first light of the year at various tourist destinations across the country.
Large numbers enjoyed the festive atmosphere on the opening day of the year as tourist destinations became crowded with visitors, who got up early to witness the first light of 2018, while many started the year by seeking a blessing and making merit at temples.
It was reported from Ubon Ratchathani that more than 10,000 people gathered at Pha Taem National Park in Khong Chiam district since the afternoon of New Year’s Eve to witness the first sunlight of 2018 at the easternmost point of Thailand, making them the first in the country to see the opening sunrise of the new year.
Meanwhile, in other national parks across the country – such as Lam Nam Nan National Park in Nan and Khao Yai National Park in Prachin Buri – many tourists camped overnight to catch the breaking of the year’s first dawn.
More than 8,000 tourists reportedly stayed overnight for a countdown party and to enjoy the cool weather in Khao Yai National Park, resulting in every camping area being fully occupied.
After celebrations on the night of New Year’s Eve, many people also rose early to make merit at hometown temples, with morning alms-giving to the monks arranged by local authorities in every province.
Major temples such as Wat Phra Pathommachedi Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan in Nakhon Pathom were crowded with people who arrived early in the morning to make merit and ask for a New Year’s blessing.
In one of the most remote Karen villages, in Phetchaburi’s Nong Ya Plong district, the local authorities also arranged a morning alms-giving ceremony to offer the opportunity for more than 500 Karen and other hill-tribe people to make merit.
