Although Koh Lanta is mostly a Muslim community some events happen here which are Buddhist orientated. Every year from the 1st to the 10th of May many Monks visit the Southern regions of Thailand to gain support and Koh Lanta is no exception.

Monks listen to the prayer on Koh Lanta

There are only 2 temples on Koh Lanta. One near the car ferry in Saladan and one found at Lanta Old Town on the east coats of Koh Lanta. The one near old town is where everyone goes. Last year there was around 100 monks who visited but this year it was nearly 200, maybe the word is getting out how beuatifull Koh Lanta is.

Monks only eat twice a day in the morning around 9am and 11am. I arrived early and listened to the chanting prayer. Anyone who has been to a temple and listened to this will understand it is moving experience. The monks then cued up heading to there food. As they where passing you place some rice into there bowls as a lucky offering. As ladies can not touch monks it was also my duty to remove all the rice quickly which I had dropped on the floor so the monks don’t walk on it.

The Monks on Koh Lanta queuing for food.

Monk on Koh Lanta

I was not able to give an offering to every monk as there was just to many. Don’t worry, you may think the first monks receive the bigger portions, when the monks come to the end of the line they put all the rice into very large pots and only take what they really need, then they help them selves to the ready made food and drinks waiting for them. After the monks have taken there food then everyone can eat the remaining food.

I went 3 times this year and it is a special ceremony not to be missed.