New Year’s alms giving organised across Thailand

BANGKOK, January 1 (TNA) - Thais start the new year on January 1st by offering alms to monks, believing that by making merit in this way they have given themselves some good luck for the year ahead. Mass alms giving events were held all around Thailand, including in Chiang Mai Province, where over 500 monks walked single file to accept food and essentials on roads near Kru Ba Sri Vichai Monument, Chiang Mai University and Suan Rukachart. The locals, including tourists taking part, wore white and joined up with chanting Buddhist sermons. Meantime, the arrival of tourists is at its peak in Chiang Rai Province during New Year’s Day on January 1st, especially in the now frosty Phu Chee Fah National Park, its morning mist at which first daylight begins as a blessing for the year ahead. (TNA)