Phuket celebrates revered monk’s 114th birthday

PHUKET: Birthday celebrations are ongoing today as revered Phuket monk Luang Pu Supha is joined by hundreds of well-wishers at his namesake temple in Chalong.

Luang Pu Supha is 114 years old today.

Having helped build 38 temples throughout Thailand, Luang Pu Supha is regarded as an iconic theological figure and inspiration by many.

More than 200 monks from around the country joined the celebrations, as well as hundreds of Phuket locals and a few tourists.

At 10:30am today, Luang Pu Supha with the help of his aides released 119 birds to freedom.

Shortly thereafter, 260 scholarships worth 520,000 baht were presented to Phuket children from 25 schools.

Luang Pu Supha was born in Sakhon Nakhon in northeastern Thailand on September 17, 1896.

For a special report on this special event, see next week’s Phuket Gazette, due out on September 25.

— Atchaa Khamlo