OkPhansaDay

31 OCTOBER 2012 - YALA, YALA, THAILAND: An Ok Phansa float from a procession to Yala. The float is dedicated to Hanuman, the Monkey God and a key figure in the Ramakien, the Thai version of the Ramayana. Ok Phansa marks the end of the Buddhist 'Lent' and falls on the full moon of the eleventh lunar month (October). It's a day of joyful celebration and merit-making. For the members of Wat Kohwai, in Yarang District of Pattani, it was a even more special because it was the first time in eight years they've been able to celebrate Ok Phansa. The Buddhist community is surrounded by Muslim villages and it's been too dangerous to hold the boisterous celebration because of the Muslim insurgency that is very active in this area. This the year the Thai army sent a special group of soldiers to secure the village and accompany the villagers on their procession to Yala, a city about 20 miles away. PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ

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Filename: OkPhansaYalaYarang044.jpg
Copyright: © Jack Kurtz
Image Size: 4462x3351 / 14.9MB; 103112 Army Civil War Holiday Light Infantry Muslim Muslim Insurgency Ok Phansa Pattani Ranger Royal Thai Army Soldier Thailand War Yala Yarang ZUMA
Contained in galleries: Ok Phansa at Wat Kohwai, Thailand (All)

31 OCTOBER 2012 - YALA, YALA, THAILAND: An Ok Phansa float from a procession to Yala. The float is dedicated to Hanuman, the Monkey God and a key figure in the Ramakien, the Thai version of the Ramayana. Ok Phansa marks the end of the Buddhist 'Lent' and falls on the full moon of the eleventh lunar month (October). It's a day of joyful celebration and merit-making. For the members of Wat Kohwai, in Yarang District of Pattani, it was a even more special because it was the first time in eight years they've been able to celebrate Ok Phansa. The Buddhist community is surrounded by Muslim villages and it's been too dangerous to hold the boisterous celebration because of the Muslim insurgency that is very active in this area. This the year the Thai army sent a special group of soldiers to secure the village and accompany the villagers on their procession to Yala, a city about 20 miles away. PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ