FOREIGN tourists joined Thai locals on Sunday in marking Visakha Bucha Day, also known as Wesak Day, which commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and Parinirvana of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism.
Many visitors were seen flocking to Buddhist temples throughout the capital, where a wide range of religious and communal activities were held as part of the national celebration.
Among them was Hsu, 33, a tourist from Taiwan visiting Bangkok for the first time. Encouraged by his tour guide, he made his way to several temples, including the famed Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen near the Chao Phraya River.
“In my view, the Thai people are truly passionate and deeply committed to the teachings of the Buddha. I feel Thailand practises Buddhism more profoundly than Taiwan. I even saw many antique Buddha amulets in this temple,” he said.
Visibly moved by the chanting of monks and devotees echoing through the temple, Hsu expressed his awe at the spiritual ambience of the celebration.
Thailand is home to more than 40,000 Buddhist temples (wat), and orange-robed monks are a common sight, especially during religious festivals such as Wesak.
Another visitor, Mohammed Rafiq, 25, from Iraq, said he and his wife had chosen to explore temples in Bangkok after receiving recommendations from locals.
He said he was particularly fascinated by the intricate architectural details and carvings inside the temples. “This is our first trip to Thailand, and we’re amazed to see so many Buddhists chanting and performing acts of charity at the local temples,” he said.
Despite the humid heat, Rafiq and his wife planned to continue exploring more of Bangkok’s temples to admire the unique architecture and cultural heritage.
Among the most visited temples during this year’s Wesak celebrations were Wat Paknam, Wat Saket, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Arun, Wat Pho, and Wat That Thong.
Wesak is one of Thailand’s most important national religious holidays, observed by devotees through prayer, temple visits, and acts of merit. - May 11, 2025
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