Major Buddhist holiday brings alcohol ban to Phuket

The Phuket News

 

The sale of alcohol is banned for 24 hours on Wednesday, from midnight to midnight.

 

PHUKET: -- The major Buddhist holiday Visakha Bucha Day will be honoured this Wednesday (May 10), while this Friday (May 12) marks another national public holiday with the auspicious activities for Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day.

 

On Wednesday, most of government offices will be closed, and as Visakha Bucha Day is a holy day, all shops, bars and restaurants are barred from selling alcohol for 24 hours from midnight at the start of Wednesday to midnight on the close of Wednesday.

 

Each year on Visakha Bucha Day, Buddhists all over the world commemorate three great events on this full moon of the sixth lunar month: The birth, enlightenment and the passing away of Gautama Buddha.

 

Devout Buddhists will rise early and go to temples to make merit and listen to sermons on the Buddha’s teachings.

 

After sunset, candle-lit processions will take place at major temples throughout the country, with devout Buddhists walking clockwise three times around the principal chapel while clasping three incense sticks, a lighted candle and lotus buds. During the “wiang tian” candle processions, the air is filled with burning incense and smoke from the candles as the faithful complete this most sacred of Buddhist celebrations.

 

On this day, most government offices on the island will be closed, including Phuket Immigration Office, the Employment Office, the Land Transport Office and the island’s three District Offices.

 

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/major-buddhist-holiday-brings-alcohol-ban-to-phuket-62081.php

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2017-05-08

Immigration: same same Bangkok?

2 hours ago, geovalin said:

Immigration: same same Bangkok?

 

I have been told to close in Hua Hin too.

3 hours ago, AhFarangJa said:

I have been told to close in Hua Hin too.

'Don't know for sure about the 12th, but pretty sure closures and alcohol sales ban apply throughout the country on the 10th, midnight to midnight. It's THE most important Buddhist day of the year.  (Yes, I know, if you look hard enough...)

Who parties on Wednesday, other than bums and homeless people, 555

Lets all go down the temples, plenty available there

14 hours ago, hawker9000 said:

'Don't know for sure about the 12th, but pretty sure closures and alcohol sales ban apply throughout the country on the 10th, midnight to midnight. It's THE most important Buddhist day of the year.  (Yes, I know, if you look hard enough...)

Hi Hawker9000,.......No, not on the 12th. Just Wednesday.....Schools closed too.