TAK — Buddhists from Thailand and Myanmar came together to celebrate the birth, enlightenment, and death of Lord Buddha in a religious ceremony held near the Thai-Myanmar border in Tak province today.
The ceremony was jointly chaired by Tak Govenor Suriya Prasartbandit and Myanmar's Myawaddy Governor Lui Go U. Officials said more than 10,000 citizens attended the ceremony, which involved Buddhist worshippers offerings food to monks and performing other religious merits.
Visakha Bucha Day is considered to be the most important religious holiday by Buddhists in Thailand. Alcohol sale is banned across the country today to comply with Buddhist teachings.
Mr. Suriya told reporters that the ceremony, organised by the authorities in Mae Sot district, was meant to honour the long relationship and history of interactions between Thailand and Myanmar.
"The majority of people in both countries similarly have faith in Buddhism and adopt its dhamma teachings as the pillar for their soul," Mr. Suriya said. "So our way of life and cultures are in fact very similar."
He also praised the construction of Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge across Moei River in Mae Sot district as the gateway to the district, which is now home to many ethnicities and faiths.
"The border trade has helped foster good friendship between the two nations," Mr. Suriya said.
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