As today is Asalaha Bucha Day, a sacred Buddhist holy day that commemorates the Lord Buddha's first Dharma discourse to the first Buddhist monk, and tomorrow marks the start of Buddhist Lent. It is the first day of the three month retreat during the rainy season, and it is the custom in Thailand to offer flowers to monks on this occasion. Any type of flower can be offered and it is believed that anyone able to offer flowers to monks at the start of Buddhist Lent will be the recipient of much merit and blessings.