Alms Giving to 30,000 Monks in Chinatown Bangkok 24th March 2012 For 2,600th Anniversary Of Buddha’s Enlightenment.

Early on the morning of Saturday 24th March 2012, there will be a mass Alms Giving Ceremony in Chinatown - Bangkok. An estimated 30,000 monks and a greater number of laypeople are expected took part of the event. Many roads like Yaorawat and Charoen Krueng were closed for the event. This is my last chance for a while to photograph such a big event. They don’t happen that often.For Buddhist people, this year is very important as it is the 2,600th anniversary of Buddha’s Enlightenment. Today’s event was in commemoration of Visakha Bucha Day which takes place on 17th May this year. Visakha Bucha Day is one of the most important days in the Buddhist calendar. It takes place every year on the full moon of the sixth lunar month. Three important events happened on this day. These were the birth, enlightenment and the death of the Lord Buddha. Buddhists make merit on this day by going to the temple to offer food to monks and to listen to sermons.
The road of Chinatown was completely covered in white sheets. In addition, there were 8 red lanes which marked the path to be taken by the 30,000 monks. Many of the lay people came early in the morning, even before the sun came up, in order to get a good spot. I was there at 6:00 am and there was already thousands of people there.The picture above was taken from the roof of the Chinatown Hotel and is looking towards the Chinatown intersection. I have never seen so many monks in one place before.Estimated crowd of 100,000 lay people worn white clothing took part of this event. Many of them had already been there for several hours. The Broadcast of television program were recorded and transmit the Alms Giving event to public TV. The photo taken of me for this great Alms Giving Ceremony.
The event started with prayers and chanting.Most people brought dried food along as well as rice, personal necessities such as soap, shampoo and toothpaste. Much of this dried food will be sent to the monks in the deep south who are unable to leave their temples. In fact, monks have been targeted and shot dead in the past. The event today was organized to give them both moral support as well as dried food.After chanting and a sermon, the monks then started to file down the paths between an estimated crowd of 100,000 lay people.
The monks first filed down the rows and started to received the alms all at the same time. However, even though there was four rows of monks along the entire 800 meter route, there were still more who were just getting up from their seats. It was an incredible sight and a wonderful experience.
At the ended, business back as usual.
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Visit Wat Klang Bang Phra – Home of Luang Pho Somwang's Giant Buddha & Luang Pu Put (preserved body) In Nakhon Pathom - Thailand.

Wat Klang Bang Phra, located in Nakhon Chai Si District, Nakhon Pathom Province, Thailand, is a historic Buddhist temple founded during the early Rattanakosin period, over 240 years ago. Originally established as a local monastery, it has grown into one of central Thailand's most popular pilgrimage destinations.

The temple is best known for Luang Pho Somwang, a magnificent big seated Buddha statue standing approximately 30 metres tall. The name "Somwang" means "May Your Wishes Be Fulfilled," making the statue a symbol of hope, faith, and good fortune. Thousands of devotees and visitors travel to the temple each year to pray for success in their careers, businesses, studies, health, family happiness, and safe travels.

Beyond its famous Buddha statue, Wat Klang Bang Phra offers a peaceful environment for meditation, merit-making, and Buddhist worship. Visitors can pay respects to sacred Buddha images, make offerings, participate in traditional religious ceremonies, and explore the temple's historic buildings and chedi. The temple is also known for its welcoming atmosphere and beautiful surroundings, attracting both pilgrims and tourists.

Today, Wat Klang Bang Phra stands as an important spiritual and cultural landmark in Nakhon Pathom. Its combination of rich history, religious significance, and the iconic Luang Pho Somwang has made it one of Thailand's most respected and frequently visited temples, inspiring people from across the country and abroad to seek blessings, inner peace, and spiritual encouragement.

The Phra Prathan Buddha and Mae Takian shrine are enshrine besides the old temple building with a big Mai Takian wood trunk. The Vihara of Luang Por TubTim with many of Zebra statues. The Luang Por TubTim Buddha is venerated inside this Vihara.
The main Vihara ofWat Klang Bang Phra. Many sacred statues of Phra Buddha are veneration along the corridor.A closer look at the shrine.
In addition to the revered big statue of Luang Pho Somwang, Wat Klang Bang Phra is also renowned for its former abbot, Luang Pu Put, who was highly respected for his virtuous life, compassion, and dedication to Buddhist teachings. After his passing, his body was found to have remained remarkably well preserved and is now enshrined in a glass pavilion within the temple for devotees to pay their respects. For many visitors, the preserved body of Luang Pu Put serves as a symbol of deep spiritual practice, unwavering faith, and lifelong devotion to Buddhism, making it one of the temple's most revered sacred attractions.The preserved body of the crocodile subdued by LP Put in the past. LP Put also known as Crocodile Subduing Arahant by his local devotees.
The others view inside LP Put Vihara.
The temple amulets counter.
The sacred Buchas, Amulets and Porcelain items on display at the whole corridor wall.A newspaper article reported the story of a man who survived multiple gunshots while wearing sacred amulets blessed by Luang Pu Phut. Among devotees, the incident is widely regarded as an example of the amulets' protective spiritual significance.
At the heart of the temple stands Luang Pho Somwang, a magnificent 30-metre-tall golden seated Buddha statue that serves as the temple's spiritual centerpiece. The name "Somwang" translates to "May Your Wishes Be Fulfilled," making the Buddha a symbol of hope, faith, and good fortune. Each year, thousands of devotees and visitors from across Thailand and abroad come to pay their respects and offer prayers for success in their careers, businesses, studies, good health, family happiness, prosperity, and safe travels.The temple Crematorium and Vihara are located near Luang Pho SomWang Giant Buddha statue.
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大圣古庙 - Monkey King Of God - Sun WuKong In Hatyai - Thailand.

The Monkey King of God temple is located outer the inner city of Hatyai, Songkhla Thailand. This temple is one of the Top tourist places to go in Hatyai.
Monkey King is a main character in the classical Chinese epic novel Journey to the West 西遊記. In the novel, he is a monkey born from a stone who acquires supernatural powers through Taoist practices and later Buddhist practised. After rebelling against heaven and being imprisoned under a mountain by the Buddha, he later accompanies the monk Xuanzang on a journey to retrieve Buddhist sutras from India.

The entrance of main Monkey King shrine.

Monkey King ~ Sun Wukong possesses an immense amount of strength. He is able to lift his 13,500 jīn (8,100 kg or 17,881 lbs) staff with ease. He is also superbly fast, able to travel 108,000 li (54,000 kilometers or 33,554 mi) in one somersault. Sun WuKong knows 72 transformations, which allows him to transform into various animals and objects. He has trouble, however, transforming into other people, because he is unable to complete the transformation of his tail. He is a skilled fighter, capable of holding his own against the best generals of heaven. Each of his hairs possesses magical properties, and is capable of transforming either into a clone of the Monkey King himself, or various weapons, animals, and other objects. He also knows spells that can command wind, part water, conjure protective circles against demons, and freeze humans, demons, and gods alike.

The main building of temple of Sun WuKong temple.

The shrine of Lord South Heavenly Gate and Heaven & Earth shrine.

My wife photo taken with the wishes tree in the temple compound.

The Wealthy Coin and long life Turtle of symbol of longevity and also a powerful symbol of wealth, health, prosperity and protection. The beautiful view of garden and pond inside the temple.

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