Up to 2,000 expected to ring in 2019 with meditation

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Up to 2,000 people are expected to spend New Year’s Eve meditating and learning Buddha’s lessons at Chaimongkol Temple.
Up to 2,000 people are expected to spend New Year’s Eve meditating and learning Buddha’s lessons at Chaimongkol Temple.

Up to 2,000 people are expected to spend New Year’s Eve meditating and learning Buddha’s lessons at Chaimongkol Temple.

While most of Pattaya will be popping corks and reveling at New Year’s parties, devout Buddhists will spend Dec. 29-31 contemplating the past year and their plans for the new one.

Officials at the South Pattaya temple said the meditation session has become increasingly popular over the past five years with more and more people curious about the alternative New Year’s commemoration.

They said meditation increases focus and attention spans, which can lead to a smoother life.

Abbot Panyarattanaporn said the front of the temple has been prepared for overnight prayer services and this year can accommodate up to 2,000 people.

During the same period Chaimongkol is hosting its annual holiday fair with booths offering food and reasonably priced goods.