In the early hours of this morning, which is the first day of the new year, hundreds of local people from Paknam headed towards the city pillar shrine in order to make merit. This is the Thai way of welcoming in the new year. While many people were still nursing hangovers from the New Year’s party the night before, devoted Buddhists made merit by presenting food and flowers to the monks.

December is a month for memorial of Tsunami and time for celebration. Most of companies often held the New Year Party within this month. Some companies may have big budget for celebration but some do not have that much budget to spend for their staffs. Everything depends on companies’ profits.