Phuket: Another public holiday on May 13

PHUKET: Tuesday, May 13, is Visakha Bucha Day, a public holiday. Because it is a holy day, shops, bars and restaurants are barred from selling alcohol for 24 hours from midnight on Monday night.

Devout Buddhists will rise early and go to the wat to make merit and listen to sermons on the Buddha’s teachings. In some temples Buddhists will perform “Wien Tien” in the evening, circling the bodh, or main hall, carrying candles, incense and lotus flowers.

Establishments such as schools will also hang yellow Buddhist flags for the day. Government offices and many businesses will be shut.