Thailand: Buddhist monks processing around Wat Suthat, Bangkok, for the Visakha Puja Festival

Beginning on the 15th day of the sixth lunar month, the Visakha Puja festival celebrates the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing away, and is marked at Buddhist temples by chanting and preaching, and candlelit processions in the evening. Wat Suthat Thepphawararam is a royal temple of the first grade, one of six such temples in Thailand. Construction was begun by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I) in 1807. Further construction and decorations were carried out by King Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (Rama II) who helped carve the wooden doors, but the temple was not completed until the reign of King Jessadabodindra (Rama III) in 1847. The temple is a fine example of the Rattanakosin architectural style. It also contains the Buddha image Phra Sri Sakyamuni or 'Sisakayamunee' which was moved from Sukhothai province.