Phuket’s poor gather to receive food donations during annual alms festival

PHUKET: More than 1,500 of Phuket’s poorest people went to the Kusoldharm Foundation headquarters in Phuket Town on June 4 to receive donations of food as part of the annual Te Krajard merit-making ceremony.

“This year, we also handed out 250 kilograms of rice to a total of 34 schools and 5kg packs of rice and foodstuffs to poor locals,” said Kusoldharm Foundation President Benjawan Tamphanuwat.

“We do this twice a year. We also hand out donations of rice to schools during the Por Tor festival [an annual Chinese festival to celebrate longevity].

“Te Krajard [literally ‘strike the tray’] merit-making is one of the Kusoldharm Foundation’s annual activities to help those in need in Phuket.”

The event marks the birthday of the Chinese god Hui Joh (Poi Jun Chia Huk), who is highly revered by Phuket’s ethnic Chinese community, Ms Benjawan explained.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong