Record numbers of faithful welcome 2017 with prayers nationwide: ministry

Record numbers of faithful welcome 2017 with prayers nationwide: ministry
By THE NATION

Tens of thousands of people join a candle-lit ceremony in honour of all Thai monarchs as they counted down to the New Year on Saturday night.

BANGKOK: -- MORE THAN 19.7 million people took part in prayers beginning on Saturday night and lasting into the first day of the new year yesterday, according to Culture Minister Vira Rojpojchanarat.

The number, which constitutes almost a third of Thailand’s population of 65 million, was a new record for the Kingdom.

New Year prayers, conducted by Buddhist monks and lay people, were held in all 77 provinces at 24,593 locations, Vira said yesterday, adding that locations included 442 temples in Bangkok, 24,151 temples in the provinces and three private properties.

Similar events were held at some 120 Thai Buddhist temples overseas, according to the culture minister.

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