Parts or all of Beach Road will be closed from 1-6 p.m. July 9 as the city rolls out its annual Khao Pansaa (Buddhist Lent) Candle Parade and Competition.
The two-day pre-Khao Pansaa event features a parade July 9 and candle contest and delivery to area temples July 10.
This year Asalaha Bucha Day falls on Friday, July 11, and Khao Pansaa on Saturday, July 12. The back-to-back Buddhist holidays next week means two dry days in Pattaya as bars, restaurants and entertainment venues are barred from selling alcohol.
Pattaya School No. 7’s candle car won the most beautiful category during last year’s event.
Pattaya police and civil-defense volunteers will close one lane of Beach Road from the Dolphin Roundabout to the Tourist Information Center in South Pattaya and the entire beachfront street between Central Road and the information center from 3-6 p.m.
Parking will be available at Central Festival Pattaya Beach.
The following day, city officials will use four vehicles to deliver decorated candles to area temples.
Candles will be judged in two categories: most beautiful and most creative. First to third place in each group will receive plaques and 5,000-10,000 baht cash.
Khao Pansaa marks the start of the monks’ “rains retreat,” during which they stay inside temple grounds so as not to trample crops during the rainy season. Candles are seen as a way to provide monks enlightenment during their prayers and candle parades are popular.
