At the Government House, General Surayuth Chulanond presides over the meeting of the Activities Organizing Committee of the UN Vesak Day 2550 which lasts over an hour. At the invitation from the Most Ven. Phra Dhammakosajarn, Rector of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University  agrees to act as presenter of the celebration . The purpose is to promote and inform the people of the significance of the occasion and encourage participation. He has ordered the National Specilal Joint Mission Television and other media to publicize the activities. The fact that the U.N. gives such attention to the Vesak Day shows that they realize that compassion is the power that sustains the world. We wish this to be the true Buddhist path to solve the world’s confusing problems and to welcome greater participation.

            “In the Thai atmosphere today, people have been wavering in faith. This needs cautioning. Advertisement and information should concern the Buddhist Path, not the current false acclaim of commercialization of the religion. I do not wish to see anyone crushed to death in a stampede for some advertised items. To aim at acquiring the object but not for the purpose of worship and not considering other matters is wrong. No attention has been given to this which has caused much wavering in the understanding. Concerning this, private sectors have to review their own actions. The correct Buddhist path has to be adhered to, not the wavering Buddhist ways”, said the Prime Minister.

            This year 50,000 copies of the Tripitaka Scripture will be published to be distributed to interested hotels to place in hotel rooms to be read as the Bible is. The hotels may inform their wish and should provide shrines for worship which is another way of spreading the teaching.

            The progress of preparation is as follows : The celebration will last from the 26^th to the 31^st of May. The activities fall into 3 parts.

            1. The conference from May 26-31 organized by the Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University comprises the opening ceremony at the Buddhamonthon Auditorium  on May 26^th and International Buddhist Conferences at the UNCC participated by 1,200 religious leaders, scholars, delegates and observers.

            2. Activities at Buddhamonthon comprise opportunities for all Buddhists, international and local, to meditate. The Department of Religious Affairs is responsible for this, providing public transportation between Sanam Luang Grounds and Buddhamonthon for the convenience of those who wish to participate,

            3. Activities at Sanam Luang Grounds comprise exhibitions of Buddhist Paths, cooperation of all sectors, rites organized by private sectors such as the procession and installation of imitation buddhas from all parts of the country, Chanting at the temple of the Emerald Buddha which is the blessing for the King. The preachings and speeches of well-known and respected leaders from 60 countries of different  Buddhist tradition from the local one will be aired by special mission TV as exchanges of knowledge and ways to know the variation of various sects.

            The Prime Minister also says that for the provinces, the Ministry of Interior, through the province governors, will see that the activities are in accordance with the main ones in the central part. He wishes that the Thai people would be able to find the answer to the question of why Buddhism and the Vesak Day have been recognized as the most important issues of the world by the UN. The answer can be sent to the Prime Minister Office Spokesman and awards are available for those who answer correctly according to his age and qualification.