Flashermac Posted May 18, 2011 Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 Wat Suan Kaew Buddhist temple in Yala province was empty on Visakha Bucha Day yesterday after its remaining two monks were killed in a bomb attack on Monday. Most Buddhist temples across the country were packed with people making merit on the important Buddhist day which marks the anniversary of the birth, enlightenment and death of the Lord Buddha. But no one showed up at Wat Suan Kaew temple except a group of security officers who were standing guard at the temple and searching for clues that could lead to the arrest of the suspects involved in the bombing. The blast happened about 6am on a local road in Banyo village of tambon Baroh of Yala's Yaha district while the two monks were making their daily rounds to collect alms. Two soldiers escorting the monks were seriously injured. The slain monks were the last two priests at Wat Suan Kaew. The temple is awaiting the appointment of the new abbot to administer the monastery. The attack prompted southern authorities to beef up security for Visakha Bucha Day. Armed soldiers were dispatched to "violence-prone" areas and Buddhist temples and local roads where villagers came out to offer alms to monks early in the morning. Bags of food and commodities people brought to the temples to offer to the monks were thoroughly checked. Many temples opted to hold candle-light processions late in the morning or in the afternoon for safety reasons. The procession, in which devotees hold candles, joss sticks and flowers and walk around Phra Ubosot three times to pay respect to the Lord Buddha and ponder his teachings, is normally performed in the evening. At Wat Lak Ha temple in Yala's Muang district, dozens of villagers performed the procession at 11am with soldiers standing guard around the temple. In Narathiwat's Bacho district, about 80 villagers took part in the procession at Wat Urai Rattanaram at 1pm as it would be safer for the people to travel to and from the temple. In Bangkok, the City Hall organised a merit-making ceremony at the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bang Khen district where 229 monks received alms from the people. In the evening, thousands of Buddhists flocked to Phuttamonthon which is the site of the official Visakha Bucha Day ceremony. His Majesty the King assigned privy councillor Amphon Senanarong to preside over the ceremony on his behalf. Inshallah ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WorldFun Posted May 18, 2011 Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 "Buddhists flocked to Phuttamonthon" such a nice place that - worth a visit on any fine day IMO Sad as always in the malay states near the southermost thailand blame u know who (thaksin/yingloooker) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ckrisg Posted May 18, 2011 Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 "Buddhists flocked to Phuttamonthon" such a nice place that - worth a visit on any fine day IMO Sad as always in the malay states near the southermost thailand blame u know who (thaksin/yingloooker) Why is Thaksin to blame? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted May 18, 2011 Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 Thaksin stirred the shit in that area. Using bodies as cordwood was one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted May 19, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2011 The situation had been fairly quiet for years in the southern Malay-majority provinces. Takky took care of that. I have heard nothing but hatred for Takky from Thai Muslims in Bangkok. Muslims and Buddhists had long lived together with few problems in those provinces. The terrorists are trying to turn the people against each other. In fact, they have openly stated they want to expel all Thai Buddhists from the provinces and seize their land for redistribution to ethnic Malays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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