It’s happening now! This year, it started on 20 May and will last till 27 May. Where? Wat Chedi Luang, where the Inthakin Pillar or Pillar of the City resides. Thai people come to pray to this totem used in ancient Thai fertility rites.

This is the only time of the year when the shrine that houses the Pillar is open to public.

Guess what happens after tons of people walk up Doi Suthep? Tons of rubbish get left by the roadside. It’s an ugly sight. Even with posters urging people not to do it, this year the same thing happens again. Imagine plastic cups and other food containers littering the side of the road winding all the way up the mountain. In the aftermath of the previous night’s walk, workers diligently clear away the rubbish the next day.

Here’s a sample of the public awareness poster:

Today’s Visakha Bucha Day in Thailand. Visakha Bucha falls on the full moon of the sixth lunar month and it commemorates the dates of Lord Buddha’s Birth, Enlightenment and Mahaparinibbhana.

In Chiang Mai, devotees gathered and made their way up Doi Suthep on foot under the moon light last night. And this morning, many Thais would have made merit by offering food to the monks.

I hope that all Thais will receive good luck and the protests and political unrests will soon become a thing of the past.

Still remember this contest by Bangkok Post? Well, it’s been a year and the results are out! Here’re the top nine in alphabetical order:

•   Amphawa Community, Samut Songkram
•   Klong Suan 100-year-old Market, Samut Prakan
•   Pai, Mae Hong Son
•   Phu Khum Khao Dinosaur Museum, Kalasin
•   Phu Soi Dao National Park, Uttaradit
•   Si Satchanalai Historical Park, Sukhothai
•   Sukhothai Historical Park, Sukhothai
•   Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, Lampang
•   Wat Phumin, Nan