BANGKOK, Dec 28 – An opinion survey has found that most respondents will join New Year transitional prayer and they are aware that foreign Buddhism chiefs and ministers will participate in the activity in Thailand for the first time.
Culture Minister Vira Rojpojchanarat said the Culture Ministry and Suan Dusit Poll conducted the survey on 7,691 people nationwide on Dec 6-17.
It showed that 78.03% of respondents knew that the government would organize the New Year prayer event and foreign Buddhism leaders and ministers would join it for the first time this year.
According to the poll results, 65.41% of respondents will attend the prayer and 12.34% will not.
For those who will join the prayer, most reasons are to pay respect to former kings and the royal institution, pray for national peace and good life, maintain Buddhism and avoid risky parties and traffic trouble.
Potential New Year prayers will also pay respect to Buddha relics and Buddha images from 13 countries at Sanam Luang ground in Bangkok and visit monarchy-related Buddhist temples, the survey has found.
After the New Year prayer, 79.29% of respondents said they would give alms to Buddhist monks, 55.48% would visit senior people and families and 32.35% would rest at home. (TNA)
