Bangkok: Buddhists in Hat Yai have come together once again to offer alms to 10,000 international monks, marking the 22nd time this grand ceremony has been held. The event attracted Buddhists and tourists from Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, emphasizing the spirit of doing good deeds for one’s parents.
According to Thai News Agency, Phra Thep Wachirasuthaporn, the provincial ecclesiastical chief of Songkhla and abbot of Wat Khok Saman Khun, presided over the ceremony. Maj. Gen. Paisal Noosang, commander of the Fourth Army Region, led the laity in the International Alms Giving Ceremony for 10,000 Monks under the theme “Doing Good Deeds for Mother, for Father.” The event took place on Niphat Uthit 3 Road in the heart of Hat Yai, Songkhla Province. Mr. Jiravat Maneechote, deputy governor of Songkhla Province, and Mr. Narongporn Na Phatthalung, mayor of Hat Yai Municipality, delivered welcoming speeches in English and Thai, respectively. The ceremony included the recitation of Buddhist rites, the Five Precepts, meditation, and the offering of alms and traditional Thai offerings to the monks. Additionally, rice and dried food were distributed to monks from 323 temples in four southern border provinces.
This year’s event saw participation from monks hailing from Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Thai monks from 14 southern provinces and Wat Phra Dhammakaya were present. The event was supported by several local and regional organizations, including the 4th Army Area, the 42nd Military Circle, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
The primary objective of the ceremony is to pay tribute to the Buddha, perform good deeds for one’s parents, and strengthen moral values, while also promoting Hat Yai City’s image as a city of merit. By bringing together monks from various sects and fostering cooperation between public and private entities, as well as local merchants and citizens, the event serves as a model for other provinces. A portion of the alms collected will support monks, soldiers, and police in the four southern border provinces.
The tradition of offering alms to monks in Hat Yai began in 2001 amid severe floods, aiming to provide relief and morale to the affected residents. Initially, 500 monks from Songkhla Province participated, but with widespread support and faith, the number of monks has grown exponentially, reaching 10,000 in this 22nd year of the ceremony.