The number, which constitutes almost a third of Thailand’s population of 65 million, was a new record for the Kingdom.

New Year prayers, conducted by Buddhist monks and lay people, were held in all 77 provinces at 24,593 locations, Vira said yesterday, adding that locations included 442 temples in Bangkok, 24,151 temples in the provinces and three private properties.

Similar events were held at some 120 Thai Buddhist temples overseas, according to the culture minister.

The events were organised by the Culture Ministry’s Religious Affairs Department in cooperation with 19 other ministries and state agencies, including the Interior and Defence ministries, the Royal Thai Police, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the National Security Council.

The annual occasion started at 7pm on New Year’s Eve and ended at 12.30am on New Year’s Day.

Prayers spanning the turn of the year have become a popular way of celebrating the advent of the new year among Buddhists in Thailand. It is believed to bring an auspicious beginning to participants in the incoming year.

New Year prayer events were first held in 2005 and have subsequently attracted more and more participants over the past 11 years, Vira said, adding that many younger people were joining the activities.

“It is pleasing to see a lot of children and young people taking part. Many people come with the whole family. They prayed to make merit for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and to offer blessings for His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn,” the culture minister said.

“The good news is that people have become increasingly more interested in prayers than drinking alcohol to celebrate the New Year. This is a good thing that is happening in Thai society,” he added.

Meanwhile, Buddhists from all over the country offered alms to monks yesterday morning to mark the advent of 2017.

Many others camped out at picturesque mountainous locations in the North and Northeast to capture on camera the first sunrise of the new year.

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