Tourism News

Tourism News Phuketwan Tourism News
facebook recommendations

NEWS ALERTS

Sign up now for our News Alert emails and the latest breaking news plus new features.

Click to subscribe

Existing subscribers can unsubscribe here

RSS FEEDS

The packed roadway in Phuket City as 1000 monks gather

Phuket Spectacle As 1000 Monks Take Up Alms

Saturday, August 23, 2008
Weekend Extra TRENDS

AN ENTIRE block in Phuket City today was filled with about 1000 monks and several thousand Buddhists who gathered to give aid to the troubled South.

It was an impressive display of the willingness of Phuket's people to help others in a time of need.

The early morning ceremony was organised by the Orbortor and Tessaban as a way of assisting the needy in the provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, where deaths and injuries from bombs and assassinations have become a daily occurence.

Thousands of families, mostly dressed in white, massed in a road near the Provincial Hall.

They filled the roadway for an entire block, facing the 1000 monks who had come from all over the island as well as all over the region.

Almost every family carried a tak baht aharn hang, a gift basket for the monks to take to relive the needs of people less fortunate than those on Phuket.

The monks and their audience represented more than 260 wats.

Alms were much more beneficial than arms, everyone agreed.

Rohingya Forced To Stay Away

PHUKETWAN has been told by Rear Admiral Supot Pruksa, Commanding Officer of the Third Naval Area Command, that Rohingya are no longer coming by boat from Burma to seek refuge in Phang Nga and Phuket for now.

He attributes this to the monsoon season. The Andaman Sea is unpredictable at this time of the year and a sudden squall has the power to overturn even quite large vessels.

The Rohingya, traditional Muslims who have been denied Burmese citizenship by the ruling military junta, have been forced to move in large numbers to Bangladesh.

From there, increasing numbers have been trying to escape to Thailand or Malaysia.

In Thailand, because some of the boatloads have consisted entirely of young men, the arrival of the Rohingya has raised alarm about national security.

One method of deterrence, being advocated by some, is to set up a long-term detention camp on a remote island off Ranong or Phang Nga.

However, Bangkok human rights activists have objected to the idea that Rohingya should be singled out for discriminatory treatment.

The Rohingya will become the admiral's problem again in late September.

In Transit

THE NEW Reservations Manager at Sheraton Grande Laguna is Rodjalin Pongsuwan. Khun Rodjalin has managed Reservation and Front Office departments in Phuket for more than 15 years with leading hotels and resorts including Evason Phuket and Six Senses Spa and Laguna Beach Resort.

Look for
TRENDS
every day, Monday to Friday, at Phuketwan. It's essential reading. To tell us your news, email bigislandmedia@gmail.com or telephone 081 6513489.

Latest
TRENDS
from Phuketwan:

August 22
The Russians are coming in larger numbers, but what about the local guides - and the money; Burmese guest worker meeting; New shopping mall opens but skip @; Beach volleyball offers big prizemoney.

Phuket Russian Invasion: Crisis Meeting on Guides

August 21
A cable car link from Patong to the Big Buddha is to be discussed as Phuket's Governor considers infrastructure options for the island's future needs as a tourism hot spot.

Phuket Patong to Big Buddha Cable Car Proposed

August 20
A boatload of Muslims from Thailand's southern provinces has joined a pilgrimage to an island off Phuket to celebrate the legacy of a local teacher. About one in four Andaman residents are Muslim.

Pilgrims Sail From South to Island Off Phuket

August 19
Patong's best-value dining area has closed for a 12 million baht remake. When Loma Park reopens, will the prices still be low and the food tasty?; Sex tourism criticism, and Gary Glitter's big day out.

Patong Wins 12 Million Baht Dining Centre

August 18
Construction cranes dot the skyline as Phuket sprouts a brace of new resorts. One of the most prominent has the rare advantage of being on the beach at Karon; Sunshine Coast seeks tourists; Telling all about tips.

Centara's 1.8 Billion Baht Phuket Grand Grows

August 15
Volunteers working with police to control traffic and crime, plus bicycles, helicopters and cameras: that's the making of the police plan for Phuket's security and safety; a record triathlon; Amari man moves on.

Phuket's Volunteer Police Plan to Fight Crime

August 14
Phuket wants more money than the national government can spare, so a noted economist recommends a tax on tourists. Going it alone could be Phuket's only option; The Russian holiday system explained

Phuket Tourist Tax What The Island Needs

Look for
TRENDS
every day, Monday to Friday, at Phuketwan. It's essential reading. To tell us your news, email bigislandmedia@gmail.com or telephone 081 6513489.

Comments

Comments have been disabled for this article.

gravatar

We as dutch tourists were witness of this 1000 monks event in Phuket. It was absoluetly fabulous. We also made a long video shot of this event. Can anybody tell me, what was the song of the melody, which was playing, when the monks came up ??

Marius van de Put

Posted by Marius van de Put on October 9, 2008 20:25


Friday March 29, 2024
Horizon Karon Beach Resort & Spa

FOLLOW PHUKETWAN

Facebook Twitter