Coffin undertaking
People on January 1 paste their names on unused coffins at Hua Lamphong Temple in Bangkok. People donate to the Ruam Katanyu Foundation to make merit during New Year.
Prayer time
Buddhists pray at New Year
Over 18 million Thai Buddhists took part in prayers for New Year at over 22,967 religious sites nationwide, the Culture Ministry said on January 1.
Deputy Prime Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn lauded Buddhists' increasing participation in the prayers and chanting, which started before midnight on New Year’s Eve in 2015.
According to reports from the ministry, more than 18.27 million participants joined in the activities, an increase of 1.2 million from 2014.
Drunk drivers
Authorities seize vehicles
More than 1,300 drink drivers' vehicles have been confiscated by authorities as part of the government's road safety campaign during the New Year holidays.
A total of 178 people were killed on the nation's roads between December 29 and 31 last year, both from drink driving accidents and other traffic mishaps.
Officials said on January 1 that they seized a total of 1,304 vehicles from drivers who were found driving under the influence of alcohol from December 25 to 31 last year.
EASY NEWS FOR M1-3
Free parking
Airport waives fees
Don Mueang Airport offered free parking to customers. Authorities reported the news on January 1. The fees were waived during New Year holidays until January 5.
Vocabulary
- laud (v): to praise somebody or something
confiscate (v): to officially take something away from somebody, especially as a punishment
mishap (n): a small accident that does not have serious results
waive (v): to choose not to demand something
