PM tops Lent celebrants’ list

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has been named the preferred political figure to make merit with during Buddhist Lent, according to the latest Bangkok Poll.

The survey found 49% of respondents want to celebrate Lent, which falls on Sunday, with Gen Prayut, followed by former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra (28%) and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva (8%).

A total of 1,193 people responded to the survey nationwide.

On the question of what people planned to do during the long religious holiday weekend, 65% said they would offer morning alms to monks, 46% said they would join the holy wian thien walkabout at temples, 31% said they would present ceremonial Lent candles and robes to monks and 21% said they intended to visit temples and listen to sermons.

The poll also listed the five favourite activities people practised during the threemonth Lent period: giving monks morning alms (45%), avoiding sinful acts (39%), refraining from alcohol (38%), maintaining moral conduct according to the five precepts (24%), and visiting temples to take part in religious rites (19%).

The poll also gauged people’s reactions to the government’s campaign encouraging them to stop drinking alcohol during the Lent in tribute to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

According to the survey, 54% said the campaign has been quite helpful in getting them to refrain from alcohol during the religious period while 15% said it has proved extremely helpful in weaning them off their drinking habit.