KUALA TERENGGANU: By the middle of next year, the Kuala Terengganu Loykrathong Association will have its own RM1.5 million multi-purpose hall atop a hillock in Tanggul, Wakaf Tapai.
Association president Ek Chan Thon said that the facility, laid across 5 acres (2ha), will be a first of its kind in the Terengganu and could accommodate 1,500 devotees at a time.
“More importantly, the hall will be ideal to host our cultural and association’s activities not only for those in Terengganu but the Siamese community in neighbouring Kelantan, Perak, Kedah and Pahang.
“Local residents can also use the facility for social and community activities.
“We have planned on having such a facility for a long time and am glad that the project has taken off three months ago,” he said
Ek Chan added that the 18-year-old association had, thus, far collected RM300,000 to lay the foundation and was far short of the targeted sum complete the project on time for next year’s Wesak Day celebrations in May.
“We appeal to well-wishers and corporate companies to offer their generosity for a good cause, as the facility will augur well to forge greater unity among the Siamese community with the other ethnic groups,” he said.
Association publicity chairman S. Jeyabalan the ground-breaking and blessing ceremony by Siamese Buddhist monks was held at the present site when the association celebrated Wesak Day at Binjai Rendah, in Jalan Kuala Berang, Marang in May.
Over 1,000 ethnic Siamese and locals ushered in the auspicious day for Buddhists, as they concurrently celebrated the association’s seventh Songkran water festival,
“Visitors from as far as southern Thailand, Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang gathered at the auspicious occasion.
"The governors of Thai provinces Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani, and the consul-general in Kota Baru Jackrid Kanjanasoon graced the festival and the ground-breaking ceremony" he said.
The festival saw the monks, VIPs, Ek Chan and association vice-president Yong Khai Seng blessing senior citizens by pouring sacred water on them.
It was followed by a luncheon, music, dance and merry-making by spraying water to usher Songkran.
Those wishing to contribute for the construction of the multi-purpose hall can contact Ek Chan at Tel: 019-9836137, Jayabalan at Tel: 012-9835585 or association secretary Yong Khai Seng at Tel: 019-9835931.
PIX 1: Kuala Terengganu Loykrathong Association publicity chairman S. Jeyabalan (left) and its president Ek Chan Thon inspecting the progress of work at the multi-purpose hall atop a hillock in Tanggul, Wakaf Tapai.
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