Banks, offices will be closed
Lord Buddha’s smiling statue at Wat Khao
Phra Yai on Pratamnak Hill is one of many religious spots throughout
Pattaya where thousands of worshippers solemnly joined people all over
the Kingdom of Thailand to celebrate Makha Bucha Day last year, one of
the holiest days on the Buddhist calendar.
This year, Makha Bucha Day (Buddhist All Saints Day)
falls on Friday, February 14. Government offices, banks and many
businesses will be closed.
This holy day commemorates the miraculous event when 1,250 disciples of
the Buddha, Gautama Sakayamuni, traveled to meet with the Buddha with no
prearranged agreement, at Weluwan Mahawiharn Temple in the area of
Rachakhryha, India.
Devout Buddhists are expected to turn out in the thousands at local
temples to conduct religious ceremonies.
On Friday, Feb. 14, it is against the law for businessmen to distribute
alcohol. This includes bars and restaurants, supermarkets, convenience
stores, department stores, and community retail stores. An amendment to
the decree exempts hotels from the ban.
