New Year transitional prayers planned

BANGKOK, Nov 24 – The government is planning New Year transitional praying activities set from Dec 30 to Jan 1. Deputy Prime Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn said many organizations were preparing the activities and they included the National Office of Buddhism, the Culture Ministry, the Interior Ministry and the Sangha Supreme Council. The parties resolved that the praying activities would be organized at all Thai Buddhist temples in and outside the country from Dec 30 to Jan 1. Gen Tanasak said that the activities at the Buddha Monthon Buddhist park in Nakhon Pathom province would include Buddhism practices from Dec 30 and alms-giving to monks in the morning of Jan 1. The National Office of Buddhism will distribute 100,000 prayer books to general people and also share the book’s soft file for downloads via its website. Besides, the National Office of Buddhism will organize tours to 10 temples in honor of King Rama X, special New Year praying activities in 16 border provinces and open 140 locations nationwide for tourists to participate in the New Year transitional prayers and countdown. (TNA)