ID :
124318
Wed, 05/26/2010 - 10:19
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/124318
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Bangkok City Hall holds religious rituals to revive spirit of people after Ratchaprasong protest
BANGKOK, May 26 (TNA) - Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra on Wednesday morning presided over a combined religious ceremony of five faith groups as part of the city's rehabilitation measures to bring healing to a wounded public spirit and to restore normalcy for the tourism sector after more than two months of protests by the anti-government 'Red Shirt' United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).
The religious ceremony, participated in by five religions--Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Brahminism and Hinduism--was jointly organised by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Ratchprasong Square Trade Association (RSTA).
The religious ceremonies, prayers and rituals, took place at the Statue of King Rama VI, at the entrance of Lumpini Park, facing Saladaeng crossroads where much violence took place, at the intersection of Ratchadamri, Rama IV, and Silom roads, across from Chulalongkorn Hospital in central Bangkok, starting from 6.30am.
Thais and foreigners living in the area and vendors who were affected by the protest joined the ceremony held at Ratchaprasong, the intersection of Ratchadamri and Rama I roads.
Many members of the public queued to give alms to 1,000 Buddhist monks.
Mr Sukhumbhand said the ceremony was to mark the beginning of new life for the city, both for the residents of Bangkok as the symbolic city for all of Thailand's people.
The governor urged people of all groups to focus on forgiveness, leave the conflict and violence behind and come to join in united to bring back beautiful Bangkok and to help create an even stronger Bangkok.
On Sunday, BMA sponsored a municipal cleaning day under the slogan "Together We Can" to clean up Ratchaprasong and its surrounding areas vandalised by the protesters.
Many volunteers joined the campaign in a spirit of helping the country resume peace and order.
Many brought their own cleaning tools, garbage bags, brooms, towels, rags. Many companies located in the area and independent groups disbursed water, food, and energy drinks to support the volunteers throughout the day. (TNA)
The religious ceremony, participated in by five religions--Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Brahminism and Hinduism--was jointly organised by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Ratchprasong Square Trade Association (RSTA).
The religious ceremonies, prayers and rituals, took place at the Statue of King Rama VI, at the entrance of Lumpini Park, facing Saladaeng crossroads where much violence took place, at the intersection of Ratchadamri, Rama IV, and Silom roads, across from Chulalongkorn Hospital in central Bangkok, starting from 6.30am.
Thais and foreigners living in the area and vendors who were affected by the protest joined the ceremony held at Ratchaprasong, the intersection of Ratchadamri and Rama I roads.
Many members of the public queued to give alms to 1,000 Buddhist monks.
Mr Sukhumbhand said the ceremony was to mark the beginning of new life for the city, both for the residents of Bangkok as the symbolic city for all of Thailand's people.
The governor urged people of all groups to focus on forgiveness, leave the conflict and violence behind and come to join in united to bring back beautiful Bangkok and to help create an even stronger Bangkok.
On Sunday, BMA sponsored a municipal cleaning day under the slogan "Together We Can" to clean up Ratchaprasong and its surrounding areas vandalised by the protesters.
Many volunteers joined the campaign in a spirit of helping the country resume peace and order.
Many brought their own cleaning tools, garbage bags, brooms, towels, rags. Many companies located in the area and independent groups disbursed water, food, and energy drinks to support the volunteers throughout the day. (TNA)
