01 JANUARY 2017 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: A Big C store employee kneels in front of Buddhist monks during a merit making ceremony at a Big C grocery store in central Bangkok. Thais traditionally go to temples to pray and make merit on New Year's Day. There are also large merit making ceremonies in many towns. Many Thai businesses ask Buddhist monks to come to their businesses for merit making ceremonies on New Year's Day. PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ