Consumer spendings on Makha Bucha Day this year will outstrip Valentine’s Day by almost 50%

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Consumer spendings during the upcoming Makha Bucha religious holiday February 13 will be the highest in six years, a survey by the Center for Economic and Business Forecast with the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce revealed yesterday.

 

But on the other hand, consumer spendings during the Valentine’s Day February 14 will be the lowest in 10 years, the center said.

 

The center conducted a survey on consumer spendings on the coming Makha Buccha holidays and found it will generate cash flows of 3,181 billion baht, the highest in six years.

 

This represents a 19.4 % increase or an average of 2,448 baht per person.

 

It said most of the spending will be to make merit and travel.

 

Significantly, the center said that this year’s holidays is the first time that the public is given the option of ordering merit making gifts online.

 

This will stimulate about 2.7% of consumers to chose the online option.

 

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/consumer-spendings-makha-bucha-day-year-will-outstrip-valentines-day-almost-50/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2017-02-07

But I thought Buddhism was about the abolition of Dukkha?

Genuine question here: Can money paid for "merit making" really be considered "consumer spending"? I always assumed that it fell into the "gifts/donations" category. 

 

I fail to see how it has anything to do with consumerism.

 

Anyways, this reminds me to stock up on a few beers for Fri. and Sat. Thanks for the reminder! 

Edited February 7, 20179 yr by djayz

My consumer spending also always peaks a day before dry holidays

Sent from my ASUS_Z00LD using Thaivisa Connect mobile app

I reckon they must consult the same soothsayer as Big Chief Five Rivers.

Propaganda to make the impression that everything is just fine.

Reality looks very different.

 

Brainwashing the masses is so simple.

Thai math's at its best. I just love the way the figures are created. A great article for a chuckle.

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

....cash flows of 3,181 billion baht.....an average of 2,448 baht per person.....

 

Hmmmmmm......

"ordering merit making gifts online"

 

That's buddhism for ya, instant karma, PayPal accepted.

Why do they make these ridiculous statement's? They would be far better remaining silent.

 

Even the locals have seen through this nonsense now.

Hah, Valentine's Day!

 

Take that you western foreign celebration. 

Edited February 7, 20179 yr by Bluespunk

Teen pregnancies will be lowest in 10 years as well.

5 hours ago, AGareth2 said:

But I thought Buddhism was about the abolition of Dukkha?

A little 50% increase in profit along the way never hurts. Like most things here in the LOS its a dollar and sense thingee sorry bahts. 

People don't spend on religious holidays here - they invest. Money to the temple is an investment for your next life. Buddha sees this and is awfully impressed. So impressed he sends you back as some rich jackass who can do no wrong. 

They also talking bout money money money here.

Never bloody stop. ???

Will outstrip Valentine's day....

 

The thought of so much nakedness is mind-blowing... 

 

Will be like a "4 dangerous days" in short term hotel over that long week-end then... Hold on to your panties.....

20 minutes ago, Sooo Upto Me said:

They also talking bout money money money here.

Never bloody stop. ???

If the truth be known your right. I kept pushing the like button but only one popped out. 

ACTIVITIES TO BE OBSERVED ON 
MAKHA BUCHA DAY

'TUM BOON': Making merit by going to temples for special observances, making merit, listening to Dhamma preaching, giving some donations and join in the other Buddhist activities.

'RUB SIL': Keeping the Five Precepts, including abstinence from alcoholic drinks and all kinds of immoral acts.

'TUK BARD': Offering food to the monks and novices (in the alm bowl).

Practice of renunciation: Observe the Eight Precepts, practice of meditation and mental discipline, stay in the temple, wearing white robes, for a number of days.

'VIEN TIEN': Attending the Candle Light Procession around the Uposatha Hall, in the evening of the Vesak full moon day.

 

I might have a problem sticking to "Rub Sil"

 

Yesl  well we can't have these fancy Farang 'Valentines Day's' and other crap from the West changing our 500 year out of date ways can we !    No; keep the masses believing that the Thai way is best and we are still the greatest Nation on the Planet.

 

Full ahead Thaitanic on your way to the inevitable watery grave.

For (almost) once in my life, words fail me.   Do they have a special department to dream up all these ridiculous figures?  They constantly announce guestimates as if they are facts and then announce after the event that their target has been achieved, which convinces the plebs that the so-called experts were right all along.

 

Counting youre eggs before they hatch is a bad idea.

Proof was last sunday.

And last november 

 

Doesn't this present a graphic picture of Thailand's relationship with Buddhism? It's all about MONEY! Buddhism - one of the least materialistic religions on earth, as propounded by its founder - in Thailand becomes focussed on funds.

 

Also, it is fitting in some ways that Thailand is a Theravada Buddhist country (in name, anyway); unlike Mahayana Buddhism, where the emphasis is on helping others, sacrificing oneself to improve the future welfare of others, aiming to become a Buddha so that one can help others even more deeply and to the highest degree - here the emphasis is on me, me, me (MY merit, MY rewards, MY benefits)!