Candle processions held during daytime in Deep South

Candle processions held during daytime in Deep South

Buddhists conduct their candle procession during the daytime for safety reasons at Wat Urai Ratanaram in Bacho district, Narathiwat, Friday. (Photo by Waedao Harai)
Buddhists conduct their candle procession during the daytime for safety reasons at Wat Urai Ratanaram in Bacho district, Narathiwat, Friday. (Photo by Waedao Harai)

Small groups of Buddhists in restive far South conducted their traditional candle processions to mark the Vesak Day during the daytime for safety reasons.

The practice which conventionally happened at night was advanced to occur at day in some areas of Narathiwat and Yala provinces which form the most part of the Muslim-dominated deep South plagued with separatism-related violent attacks.

About 30 people from the two remaining Buddhist communities in Bacho district of Narathiwat performed the procession at Wat Urai Ratanaram in Moo 5 village of tambon Bacho. They came from Talad Bacho and Nam Tok Pajo communities.

They gave alms to 60 Buddhist monks at the temple and the ceremony was protected by soldiers, police and administrative officials. Apart from ensuring safety at the Buddhist temple, security authorities also guarded roads between the communities and the temple.

The candle procession at the temple occurred at about 12.30pm. Similar processions at other Buddhist temples in Narathiwat started at 4pm, also for safety reasons.

In Muang district of Yala, about 200 Buddhists conducted their procession at Wat Weluwan at about 11am. Yala governor Doldej Patanarat was there.

The Vesak Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha.

Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd on Friday quoted Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as saying that Buddhists should perform their duties, support public interest and refrain from distorting Buddhist teachings.

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