Luangpoo Supha, 114, blesses “safe teddies’

CHALONG: Phuket Vice-Governor Tri Augkaradacha traveled to Wat Luang Phu Supha Saturday morning to present 2,000 “Nong Prodpai” (“safe sister bear”) teddy bears for blessing by revered monk Luangpoo Supha.

The teddy bears are to be distributed to motorists at police checkpoints during the “seven days of danger” period, from December 28 to January 3.

Luangpoo Supha, who is reputed to be 114 years old, used a blessing popular during the reign of King Rama IV during the ceremony.

As in previous years, the province has also been set with threshold numbers of accidents (41), injuries (32) and deaths (3) for the seven-day period.

If actual numbers fall below these figures, the provincial effort will be deemed a success.