Pattaya Bars on Walking Street Closed for Buddhist Holiday

Pattaya beer bars served beer in a mug complete with a candle to celebrate Maka Buscha

Pattaya’s famous Walking Street was dark Sunday night. There were plenty of tourists out walking around, but the Pattaya girls stayed home. I couldn’t find even one Pattaya Go Go bar open in the entire area. Believe me, I searched.

I was counting on at least one Pattaya go go to open up clandestinely, but no such luck. Those of you who were in Pattaya for the King’s Birthday in December remember that The Sea Agogo stayed open by candlelight in spite of the ban. Not so, last night.

Police had put the word out… stay closed or face the consequences. At any rate, the Pattaya girls got a much needed holiday Sunday night, so hopefully they’ll be all rested and twice as playful the rest of the week.

Sunday night’s closure was meant to celebrate Maka Buscha. This holiday takes place on the full moon of the 21st lunar month. For Westerner’s not in tune with the lunar calendar, it’s hard to tell just exactly when that is. It’s a different day each year. It’s an important public holiday throughout Thailand.

The day commemorates an event that took place in ancient times. Buddha, after his enlightenment, made his famous Dharma speech in front of 1250 disciples who had miraculously assembled for the event.

Sunday night the holiday was celebrated in temples all over Thailand with merit making ceremonies. People parade around the temples in candlelit processions, going around the temple three times. It’s really something to see. Every year Chaimongkol Temple in South Pattaya is packed with both Thais and Westerners observing the rights.

Meanwhile, those of us who were seeking more secular pleasures on Walking Street were disappointed. There were a few Pattaya beer bars open if you really looked hard. I had my beer served up in a coffee cup, complete with a candle, in observance of the holiday.

Things will be back to normal tonight.