Phuket Buddhists hold prayer vigils for 100-day mourning period

PHUKET: Hundreds of Phuketians stepped out early this morning to take part in a merit-making ceremony with 89 Buddhist monks at Phuket Provincial Hall, to mark the 7th day of mourning since the passing away of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on October 13.

Phuket Governor Chokchai Dejamornthan led provincial officials and the public in making alms offerings to the monks from 6:30am to 7:30am.

Yesterday evening, Governor Chokchai led a Buddhist prayer vigil in honor of the departed King attended by thousands of mourners at Wat Wichit Sangkharam in Phuket Town.

Buddhist temples throughout Phuket are holding daily prayer vigils from 3:52pm – the time announced of the King’s passing last week – until November 12.

A ceremony to mark the 15th day of mourning is planned to be held on October 27 at Wat Mongkol Nimit in Phuket Town, followed by a ceremony to mark the 50th day of mourning on December 1 at Wat Thepwanaram in Srisoonthon, Thalang. A ceremony is then planned to take place at Wat Tah Rua, near the Heroines’ Monument to mark the 100th day of mourning on January 20, 2017.

— Chutharat Plerin