2012 starts with alms giving in Pattaya, Naklua, Jomtien
A Buddhist monk receives alms
from citizens along Jomtien Beach Road in the early morning hours of Jan 1,
2012. Some roads were temporarily closed in Pattaya, Naklua and Jomtien at
the start of the year, as Thais lined the thoroughfares to welcome in the
New Year by making merit, offering alms to monks and praying for a happy,
healthy and prosperous 2012 for themselves and for everyone throughout the
world.
Monks
receive alms along Jomtien Beach Road early in the morning on Jan. 1, 2012.
Vittaya Yoondorn
Pattaya-area residents began 2012 with early morning
merit making exercises, giving alms to monks in Pattaya, Naklua and Jomtien
Beach.
Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay presided over the ceremony
in Central Pattaya, whilst Banglamung District Chief Chawalit Saeng-Uthai
led the New Year’s Day’s official alms offering in Naklua, where thousands
of people donated rice and dried food to monks at Lan Po Park. In return,
the monks prayed for prosperity and happiness of attendees during 2012.
On Dongtan Beach in Jomtien, crowds took over the entire
footpath as well-wishers dressed in white gave alms to 20 monks.
While many were still sleeping off New Year’s Eve, the
events did tie up traffic a bit as police closed off some area roads to
provide space for the alms givers.
Thousands of residents line
Jomtien Beach Road offering alms to monks and having lustral water sprinkled
on them.
