Throngs of Pattaya-area Buddhists walked, ran and meditated to celebrate Visakha Bucha Day on Monday, June 4.
Pattaya Permanent Secretary Pakorm Sukhonthachat and Education Office Director Jintana Maensurin opened the annual holiday walk-run with contestants competing in under- and over-40 categories, as well as a contest for just women. All winners received trophies.
Runners and walkers get underway on their route around Phratamnak Hill.
The event culminated in a parade towards the Big Buddha temple on Phratmank Hill to participate in the Wien Thien ceremony at Wat Khao Phra Yai to commemorate the 2,600th anniversary of Lord Buddha’s enlightenment. Organizers said the event is meant as a sign of commitment to the five Buddhist precepts and to avoid all vices during the three-month lent period.
“I am amazed by the response to the event,” Pakorm said. “This clearly shows that residents place a lot of importance on Visakha Bucha Day.”
Yordcherry Sidyordthong, a 14-year-old runner from Nongyai Health Club, said she wanted to participate because she loves sport, and because her parents planned to take her for a Wien Thien ceremony anyway.
Malee Kurapong, 41, of Laem Chabang said she wasn’t in the race to win any awards. “Visakha Bucha Day is just one of those days that Buddhists should not miss,” she said.
Runners from the Suan Tamnak Nam Chonburi Club line up at the start.
