Banks, offices will be closed
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.
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.
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. (See related story on page 5)
