Saturday, October 23 marks the end of this year’s
Buddhist Lent. Since this is a religious holiday, it is against the law to
serve alcohol on this day. Restaurants, bars and entertainment venues are
allowed to remain open, but must not serve alcohol of any kind.
Saturday, October 23 marks the end of this year’s
Buddhist Lent, or Auk Pansaa, celebrated on the full moon night of the
eleventh month of the year. The event also marks the “official” end of the
rainy season, even although the weather might not necessarily cooperate.
A great number of lay people will be gathering at their
local temples to pay their respects, make merit, perform the Tak Bat Dhevo
ceremony and place steamed rice wrapped in coconut palm leafs, called “kao
tom hang”, into monks’ alms bowls. Other religious ceremonies will also take
place at local temples.
High ranking police officials told Pattaya Mail
that since this is a religious holiday, it is against the law to serve
alcohol on this day. Restaurants, bars and entertainment venues are allowed
to remain open, but must not serve alcohol of any kind on Saturday, October
23, 2010.