(Above and below) North Pattaya Road is a sea of saffron as 2000 monks
gathered to pray for peace and tolerance amongst the peoples of the
world.
Phasakorn Channgam
About 25,000 people turned out to give alms to 2,000
Buddhist monks on a mission to help less-fortunate brethren.
The huge merit-making event in front of Pattaya City
Hall Nov. 27 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 286 embattled Buddhist temples in Thailand’s
Muslim-dominated south.
The Banglamung Morals and Environmental Revival Club
organized the government-sponsored event, the third since 2008, aimed at
reviving and supporting religion. It was a family-oriented activity
meant to reinforce traditional values as well as support the monks, who
are often the targets of violence by southern separatists.
The sea of orange robes flowed along North Road from the Samsai
intersection to the Dolphin Roundabout.
Mayor Itthipol Khumplome and his wife Rachada Chatikavanij enjoy making
merit together by giving alms to the Buddhist monks.
Thousands of devout Buddhists and people of many faiths join in the
merit making ceremonies along North Pattaya Road.