Thais turn out to offer alms to monks as 2019 begins
A large number of Thais marked New Year’s Day by attending morning alms offerings to monks or making merit at temples.
In Bangkok, Culture Minister Vira Rojpojchanarat led officials and members of the public members in offering alms to 167 monks at Sanam Luang, while Bangkok Governor Pol General Aswin Kwanmuang led people in a morning alms offering to 68 monks at Khon Muang Plaza in front of the city hall.
In the northern province of Phayao, some 1,000 people attended the alms offering ceremony to 99 monks at the Pho Khun Ngam Muang Monument Plaza in Muang district. Many of the attendees then released fish into the Kwan Phayao to wish for an auspicious New Year.
In Chiang Mai, a large number of people – many clad in traditional northern attire – showed up on Huai Kaew Road in front of Chiang Mai University to attend the alms offering to 262 monks. Many also took the opportunity to pay respects to the nearby Kruba Srivichai Monument as they wished for a better year ahead.
Several families spent the morning making merit at temples with auspicious names inside Chiang Mai City.