North Pattaya
Road from the Samsai intersection to the Dolphin Roundabout is awash
with saffron robed monks receiving alms from white clad Buddhists in the
annual event to provide relief to 323 embattled Buddhist temples in
Thailand’s violence-torn south. (Full story on page 6)
Phasakorn Channgam
North Pattaya Road was turned into sea of orange and white when
thousands of people turned up to present alms to 2,600 orange-robed
Buddhist monks on a mission to help their less-fortunate brethren.
The huge merit-making event in front of Pattaya City Hall Dec. 22 saw
the crowd, dressed predominantly in white, donate rice and dried goods
to support a nationwide drive by a million monks to provide relief to
323 embattled Buddhist temples in Thailand’s Muslim-dominated south.
The sea of orange robes flowed along North Road from the Samsai
intersection to the Dolphin Roundabout. The road was closed to traffic
and thousands made their way to make merit with the monks.
As the sun begins to rise
in North Pattaya, 2,600 saffron robed monks meditate, quietly waiting
for the ceremony to begin.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome and area
MPs opened the 6 a.m. event with Vijit Thummasan, abbot at Sutthawas
Temple and chief of area monks, leading 2,600 monks to accept alms,
rice, dried food and daily necessities from Buddhists.
The Meditation for Moral Development of the World Association organized
the government-sponsored event, its fifth annual event, aimed at
reviving and supporting religion. It was a family-oriented activity
meant to reinforce traditional values as well as support the southern
monks, who are often the targets of violence by Muslim separatists.
Since 2008, the “Alms Giving for 2 Million Monks” project has raised
more than 4,200 tons of rice.
The mayor noted this year’s ceremony included 600 more monks than
previous events to mark 2,600 years of Buddhist Jayanti. It also aimed
to “add virtue and prosperity for individuals and families for the New
Year.”
