Travel Tips : Asanha Bucha day and the beginning of Buddhist Lent

Today 11 July 2014 it was/is Asanha Bucha which will be followed by Khao Phansa (start of Buddhist lent) tomorrow. For the most western people in Thailand it will be noticed as 2 days of not selling alcohol and that many (if not all) bars will be closed. But for most Thai it is the beginning of the time that Buddhist monks remain within the temple grounds and do not venture out for a period of three months starting from the first day of the waning moon of the eighth lunar month (in July) to the fifteenth day of the waxing moon of the eleventh lunar month (in October). In former times, this is done to prevent monks from trampling upon rice paddies when they venture out to receive offerings from the villagers. This period is translated as "Lent" because many lay people choose to be strict about keeping the precepts and even refrain from eating meat. Thanks for reminding me Tony.

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