The Sri Lankan Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand celebrated Vesak on a grand scale from 21st May to 24th May 2013. The staff of the Embassy and the Sri Lankans living in Thailand took the initiative in organizing the Vesak celebrations to show case how Sri Lankans celebrate this thrice blessed sacred day for Buddhists all over the world.
This event was organized in collaboration with the Hon. Governor of Ayutthaya Province in the historical city of Ayutthaya. This is also one of the events organized to commemorate the 260th anniversary of the establishment of ‘Siam Nikaya’ in Sri Lanka.
The participation of Hon. T.B.Ekanayake, Minister of Culture and the Arts, Hon. Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Environment and Renewable Energy, Hon. Dr. Jagath Balasuriya, Minister of National Heritage and Mrs. Kumari Balasuriya, Governor of Southern Province added an extra significance to this culturally and religiously significant event.
The 52x58 feet Sri Lankan style Vesak Pandal erected for the first time in Thailand which was specially transported from Sri Lanka and kept for public viewing from 21 to 24, The Bakthi Geetha Programme presented by the embassy staff and the community members, nicely illuminated road sides, beautifully lit Vesak Lanterns and Vesak Dansala were the main attractions of the Celebrations. 99 Buddhist monks chanted Pirith prior to the lighting of the giant, colourful Vesak Pandal.
The story of Mahadana Situputha (one of the known Jathaka Katha) which was nicely presented in Thai Language was highly appreciated and commented by the visitors who gathered in thousands every day to view the Vesak Pandal.
The Vesak festival of year 2013which has drawn unprecedented crowds of hitherto unknown magnitude to participate daily celebrations has been described by the Thai Print and Electronic Media as an opening of new vistas for enhancing people to people contacts and the cultural and religious bonds between Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Bangkok
