|
The
month of December to mark the birthday anniversary of His Majesty the
Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Thailand
is staging a series of once-in-a-lifetime events across the month of
December to mark the birthday anniversary of His Majesty the Late King
Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The New Year will also be observed in a traditional
Thai way to pay respect to the late King and to commemorate his legacy
and work, which did so much to improve the lives of the Thai people.
Deputy Prime Minister General Tanasak
Patimapragorn said, “2016 has been a milestone year for the Thai
people, and we want to ensure that December marks a time of reflection; a
time when we can come together as a people and truly appreciate the
amazing work that His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej carried
out during his reign.
"As the New Year dawns, it is the perfect time for
the Thai people to unite in their Thainess and to welcome guests from
around the world to join us as we look with confidence to the future.”
The
Bhumibol 1 Bridge in Samut Prakan
On 5 December, 2016, TAT marked the birthday
anniversary of His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the
Bhumibol 1 Bridge in Samut Prakan.
The event was a way of remembering
the work and projects initiated by His Majesty to help develop the
economy and improve the lives of Thais in the cities and the rural areas.
It took place from 05.00-08.00 Hrs., the
event’s
highlights included a ceremony to offer essential items to
999 monks and an 89-second silence to mark the King’s life.
Participants joined in a mass singing of the Thai Royal Anthem and the song Kwam Fan An Sung Sut (The
Impossible Dream), which was composed by His Majesty.
Everyone was invited to write an oath to live a good life. The event ended with
a mass balloons release.
As part of the event to mark His Majesty’s Birthday,
19,999 bags of ‘royal soil’ will be given to the people. This soil has
been taken from the King’s Royal Projects and agricultural stations and
symbolises his dedication to the land and to the people.
His Majesty knew
the importance of soil to Thailand and made many scientific studies of it
in his life to find ways to improve the growth of crops.
In
recognition of his work, the United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organisation (FAO) has named 5 December as World Soil Day.
The
Bhumibol 1 Bridge in Samut Prakan
On 31 December, 2016, Thailand is holding nationwide
cross-year prayers, in the form of Buddhist chanting. This will take
place at Sanam Luang and at thousands of temples as well as at many other
locations around the country.
In addition, people in the borders of the
neighbouring ASEAN nations, as well as Thai people and temples overseas,
have been invited to take part.
It has long been the tradition in Thailand that on
New Year’s Eve and on New Year’s Day, Thai Buddhists gather at the
temples for praying and meditation together and use the opportunity to
listen to sermons about living a good life.
It is a way of bringing
people together before the year starts and earning blessings and making
merit.
The
Bhumibol 1 Bridge in Samut Prakan
The events will start at 21.00 Hrs. with an 89-second
silence to pay respect to the Late King Bhumibol, marking his 89 years.
At 23.45-23.50 Hrs., the New Year’s Eve prayers will take place.
At
midnight, the temples will struck a gong 9 times while the people will
sing the songs Phon
Phi Mai (New Year Blessings) and Sawasdee Phi Mai (Hello
New Year) to mark the New Year. Visitors can also enjoy New Year Eve
celebrations in various locations around central Bangkok like Siam
Paragon, Ratchaprasong shopping district, CentralWorld, EmQuartier and
Emporium.
On 1 January, 2017, at 00.09 Hrs., candles will be
lit and prayers will take place to welcome the New Year. These
traditional merit-making activities taking place all over Thailand in
which Thai people will also take the chance to visit nine auspicious
temples within the day to ensure blessings for 2017.
Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism
Authority of Thailand (TAT) said, “Everyone, including visitors to
Thailand is invited to join the prayers, which are dedicated to the Thai
nation, religion and the Thai monarchy, which make up the three pillars
of the Thai state.
"We would like people to get out and explore Thailand
as the year ends and everyone has a long New Year break. Thailand is
entering a new era with a new King, so this is the perfect time to truly
find out what it means to be Thai.
"So go and discover unique local experiences,
revel in the rich culture, arts and cuisine of the kingdom and meet
fellow Thais while spending valuable time with family and friends. This
unity means we can face the future with happiness and optimism.”
To encourage more travel in Thailand over December,
the Thai government is doubling the tax break for tourists to 30,000 Baht
in total for their travel spending this year.
There is already a tax
reduction of 15,000 Baht per person from taxable income for Thai tourists
for 2016, and this will be doubled and made applicable to tour services
and accommodation from 1-31 December.
The
Bhumibol 1 Bridge in Samut Prakan
| 
No comments:
Post a Comment