Thailand holds ceremony to mark 18th United International Vesak Day

by Prasanna Brhamana

Thailand is hosting a ceremony to mark the 18th United International Vesak Day on Thursday and Friday with more than 3,500 monks from 50 countries set to participate in the two-day celebration.

The Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand has announced that the Vesak celebrations will be held on June 1-2, 2023. The 18th edition of the event will be jointly organized by Maha Chulalongkorn Raja University, the Sangha Supreme Council, and the Thai government.

The event will commence on June 1, with the opening ceremony presided by the Supreme Patriarch Ariyavongsagatanana followed by seminars at Maha Chulalongkorn Raja Vidyalaya University in the afternoon. On June 2, Buddhist monks and devotees will gather at the United Nations office in Bangkok on Ratchadamnoen Road for a ceremony led by Gen. Surayud Chulanont. Attendees can take part in prayers at Phutthamonthon in Nakhon Pathom province as well.

Permanent Secretary for Interior Suttipong Juljarern has stated that the Interior Ministry will notify governors across Thailand to raise the national flag along with the Buddhist flag in order to promote Vesak Day. He also encourages Thai Buddhists to participate in meritorious acts from June 1-7 and refrain from gambling during that period.