Thai government to organize Buddhism Week on May 18-24

BANGKOK, May 16 (TNA) - The Thai government will organize the "Buddhism Week" from May 18-24 to mark the Visakha Bucha Day 2013, which falls on May 24, and to promote Buddhism. Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisarn held a press conference on Thursday, together with a member of the Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand Phra Prom Dilok and Vice Abbot of the Sa Ket Temple Phra Prom Sitthi, to announce activities to be organized during the upcoming Buddhism Week, including those to celebrate the 10th International Visakha Bucha Day. According to the minister, the activities include those organised by Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya Univeristy, the Office of National Buddhism and the Buddhsim Promotion Centre of Thailand, namely an international seminar from May 21-22 at the United Nations Convention Centre (UNCC) on Rajadamnoen Avenue in Bangkok, as well as Buddhist sermons and Knowledge competitions on Buddhism. The minister said the activities of the Buddhism Week, also set to be held at Saman Luang ceremonial ground and Buddha Monthon in the Thai capital, are also aimed to honour Their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit and to celebrate the 100th birthday anniversary of Thailand's Supreme Patriarch, noting that the government has allocated a budget of about 56.3 billion baht to organise the week-long event. (TNA)