Buddhists prepare for biggest festival

SONGKRAN may not be over yet but Thai Buddhists are already preparing for the next big celebration.

Vesak Day, or Visakha Bucha, takes place between May 22 and 28 and is the most important Buddhist festival in Thailand.

Followers head to temples at this time every year to hear sermons from monks and take part in some of the processions being organised.

Buddhists will also offer donations and prayers at the many shrines and temples around the country.

Holidaymakers cannot not fail to notice the streams of people making their way to the religious buildings.

One of the festival’s highlights are the candlelit parades which often take place around Thailand’s temples.

The celebrations are always timed to coincide with the full moon and therefore the date of Buddha’s birthday varies from year to year.

Tourists staying on Koh Samui will find the biggest events likely to be centred around Wat Phra Yai, which is home to one of the island’s most famous landmarks – Big Buddha.

This golden statue of the deity stands at 12m in height and is an especially impressive sight when lit up in the evening.