Long weekend break

BANGKOK  Thais and foreign residents will enjoy a four-day holiday break starting this Thursday thanks to two Buddhist holidays that fall on Thursday and Friday.
The Friday holiday heralds the start of the three-month Buddhist Lent. Devout Buddhists abstain from physical pleasures and alcohol. Some participate in meditation courses.
When the weekend is added to the two public holidays, Thais have four days to take a break. Many will head for beach resorts ,or take advantage of the cheap low-season fares on offer to visit neighbouring countries.
The Thursday holiday, 30 July, marks the full-moon Asarnha Bucha Day, (15th day of the eighth month, while Khao Phansa is celebrated, 31 July, when Buddhist monks remain in their temples during the traditional rice planting and harvest months.
inside no 9The long weekend will encourage people to travel, although the two religions holidays come with a total alcohol ban and most bars and entertainment spots at tourist destinations will close. Hotels can serve alcohol to their guests.
The holiday is also celebrated in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
TTR Weekly’s daily editions will resume Monday, 3 August. We wish all our Thai readers a very relaxing holiday and safe journeys throughout the Kingdom.

sourced:ttrweekly.com