Temple welcomes Thais celebrating Thai New Year

BANGKOK (NNT) - Today is the last day of the three-day Songkran festival, where Thais celebrate their traditional New Year. Despite the cancellations of parties and water fights, many Thai people visited temples and other attractions today, where measures were in place to limit the spread of COVID-19.

At Wat Rakhang Kositaram in Bangkok this morning, families came to bathe the temple’s buddha statue, pay their respects and pray for good fortune this Thai New Year.

The temple has implemented health and safety measures, requiring all visitors to wear a mask at all times, and they must be screened for symptoms upon entry. Hand sanitizers are provided at the entrance to the ordination hall, as well as across the temple compound.

Wat Rakhang Kositaram is a royal monastery, located in Bangkok Noi district of Bangkok, on the western bank of Chao Phraya River. Located nearby is Wang Lang market, where the there are fewer customers than normal, as many shops are still closed for Songkran holidays.

Some merchants said the number of customers has dropped, but the situation is still better than during the first wave of COVID-19 last year, as people are now more acquainted with how to protect themselves.