NEW YEAR CEREMONY IN MAHASARAKHAM

On January 1 MSU Vice President for Special Affairs Associate Professor Dr. Suracha Amornpan attended the Maha Sarakham Provincial New Year ceremony held at the Clock Tower in central Mahasarakham. Dr. Suracha represented Mahasarakham University for the important ceremony which was also attended by Mr. Jeerawat Chuenwarin, Governor of Maha Sarakham Province.

The New Year ceremony is held in villages, towns, cities and villages all over Thailand early on New Year’s Day. Many of the townspeople will arise early and head to the community centre from about 6 am onwards bearing alms to give to the monks. All monks from surrounding temples attend and it is quite a spectacle to see the large number of monks and people showing respect and giving alms. There are also speeches by local government, business and, because Mahasarakham is a city of education, educational leaders.

On New Year’s Day in Mahasarakham the ceremony was attended by three hundred and fifty-nine monks from seventeen temples in and around the municipality. Government officers, business people and the general community numbering in their thousands prayed for His Majesty King Bhumibol, prosperity for themselves and their families before forming long lines where monks passed and received alms from the people.

The New Year ceremony is a wonderful time where the whole community comes together to wish each other prosperity and happiness for the coming year.

สุขสันต์ปีใหม่ - Happy New Year