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.
