Asahna Bucha Day is celebrated on the first full moon of the 8th lunar month. It commemorates Buddha’s first sermon where he spoke about the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path and marks the start of the Buddhist Lent. Thai Buddhists go to the temple and walk around three times while holding candles, three incense, and lotus flowers after listening to Buddha’s teachings and making donations to their local temples and monks.

This year Asahna Bucha Day, July 27th, was celebrated alongside King Vajiralongkorn’s birthday, July 28th. During the month of July teachers wore yellow shirts to school every day to honor him. Different ceremonies were held around Thailand to say prayers for him and to give him blessings. Check out the pictures below to see how volunteers celebrated in different parts of Thailand.

Michael Marano, 129 TESS

Natalie Garro, 129 TESS

Olivia Dawson, 129 YinD

Kara Anthony, 130 TESS

Skip Leonard, 130 TESS

Andy Anderson, 129 TESS

Nikolai Stern, 129 TESS

Check out our articles on Visakha Bucha Day and Eid al-Fitr to learn about other holidays celebrated in Thailand.