| Bangkok, Thailand’s vibrant capital is a multi-faceted | | | | bring candles, flowers and sticks of incense to be |
| paradise for visitors from around the world, renowned | | | | offered to the Buddha; these offerings are placed at |
| for its imposing buildings, temples and shopping | | | | the foot of the Buddha statue in the temples. Just as |
| opportunities as well as its famous nightlife. Bangkok is | | | | the incense and candles soon burn out and the |
| also well-known for its cultural and religious traditions. | | | | flowers wither, these objects represent the universal |
| In Thailand, as a Buddhist country following the | | | | law that all things are subject to decay. |
| Theravada school of Buddhism, Vesak, celebrating the | | | | The laity are encouraged to abstain from killing of all |
| birth, enlightenment and demise of the Buddha holds | | | | kinds, and to limit themselves to a vegetarian diet for |
| pride of place on the religious calendar. The day of | | | | the day. Pious Thais will dress in white clothing and |
| Vesak falls on the full moon day of the fifth or sixth | | | | pass the entire day in temples, reaffirming their will to |
| month of the lunar Buddhist calendar. In the Western | | | | follow the Eight Precepts (ethical and religious |
| Gregorian calendar Vesak day falls in April or May. | | | | resolutions). |
| According to Buddhist tradition, the birth, enlightenment | | | | Buddhists also take this opportunity to assist the less |
| and death of Buddha Gautama occurred on the same | | | | fortunate, including the infirm, aged and the ill, giving gifts |
| full moon day, although in different years. This day, | | | | of cash and goods to charitable institutions. Vesak is a |
| known by a multitude of names in the various Buddhist | | | | time of great joy, expressed in these activities and the |
| countries, is the most important religious occasion | | | | decoration and adornment of temples. |
| throughout the Buddhist world. | | | | Visitors can experience the traditional Vesak |
| On Vesak day Thai Buddhists gather at the temples in | | | | celebrations from a conveniently located Bangkok |
| the early morning, in time for the raising of the Buddhist | | | | hotel. Giving travelers easy access to many shopping, |
| flag and chanting of verses in honour of the sacred | | | | cultural and business districts, Grand Millennium |
| Triple Gem – the Buddha, Dharma (teachings of the | | | | Sukhumvit Bangkok provides exceptional service and |
| Buddha) and Sangha (the order of monks). Buddhists | | | | a wide array of facilities. |