During the recent long weekend, Thai Buddhists went to their local temples to make merit, chant, listen to sermons and to take part in a candlelight procession around the main temple building. For foreign tourists, Khao Phansa, which marks the start of the three-month long Buddhist Rains Retreat, is a great opportunity to witness Buddhism close-up. Over the weekend there were many events around the country, but probably the most colourful was the “Tak Bat Dok Mai Festival” at Wat Phra Phutthabat in Saraburi