Another objective of the Dhammayatra from the start has been to help stimulate the interest and sense of responsibility of monks and other religious leaders in the area towards the problems of the lake and its human, animal, and plant communities. This time we are delighted that the head monks of Sadao and Klong Huaey Kong Districts are actively involved in supporting the walk. More than in past years, the abbots and their supporters of many of the monasteries we will be visiting are involved in preparations for the walk. Further, we hope that some of the monks whose monasteries we’ve visited in past years will be able to visit the Dhammayatra at least for short periods. By doing so, they will meet monks from other areas of the lake and especially along Klong Utapao to share their stories of difficulties and successes, sufferings and joys.
We have found that the organization of a lake- or watershed-wide network of monks involved in issues related to the lake (social/cultural/environmental) is a difficult objective given the current situation of the Thai Sangha. The nature of the Sangha’s hierarchy and the responsibilities of individual abbots make it very difficult to develop an awareness that goes beyond the immediate boundaries and needs of one particular abbot’s temple and surrounding religious community. So, we have lowered our sights and are aiming to foster individual friendships among some of the more active and ‘tuned in’ monks.
Furthermore, we hope to introduce some of our monk friends to local imams, the Muslims teachers, since Sadao District has more Muslim sections than the areas immediately bordering the lake. We believe that cooperation among mosques & temples, monks & imams, is necessary for solving problems in the deep south. The divisions fostered by narrow-minded government policies and nationalism must be countered. This is best done at the grassroots.
Finally, as in past years, a wide variety of non-government organizations, faculty and students from Prince of Songkhla University in Had Yai, teachers and civil servants from various government agencies and other citizens both of Thailand and the world will be supporting and joining this walk. (There is a Ph.D. candidate from the United States doing his dissertation on the Dhammayatra as an on-going approach to cultural and human transformation. If you’re interested in his work, click here.
Temples with links give details on specific issues in these areas.
| Date | Sleeping Temple | Distance |
| 10 May 98 | Opening Ceremonies at Klong Yon Sangha Center, Sadao District |
------- |
| 11 May 98 | Wat Huaey Kuu, Sadao | 15 km |
| 12 May 98 | Khuan Phala Sangha Center, Sadao | 9 km |
| 13 May 98 | Wat Pangla, Sadao | 7 km |
| 14 May 98 | Wat Muang Gong, Sadao | 6 km |
| 15 May 98 | Wat Song Pi Nong, Sadao | 6 km |
| 16 May 98 | Ban Kao Rang Sangha Center, Klong Huaey Kong District |
17 km |
| 17 May 98 | Vimuttiwanasom Sangha Center, Klong Huaey Kong | 8 km |
| 18 May 98 | Wat Kok Kor, Klong Huaey Kong | 5 km |
| 19 May 98 | Wat Kok Riang, Klong Huaey Kong | 6 km |
| 20 May 98 | Wat Bang Sala, Klong Huaey Kong | 12 km |
| 21 May 98 | Wat Had Yai Nai, Had Yai District | 13 km |
| 22 May 98 | Wat Naa Rang Nok, Had Yai | 14 km |
| 23 May 98 | Wat Dorn, Had Yai | 7 km |
| 24 May 98 | Laem Poh Sangha Center, Had Yai | 6 km |
| 25 May 98 | Closing Ceremonies & Summaries | -------- |
| 16 days | Total Distance | 131 km |
The walk is only two weeks away, but if you can make it, you are welcome to join us, even if it’s only for a few days. There is no charge. You don’t have to be Thai or a Buddhist or anything special. You don’t need to take any special preparation or training. We merely ask that you are in reasonably good health, have decent clothes to wear, an open mind, and goodwill towards your fellow sentient beings. Please travel light.
If you can join us, telephone or fax the following numbers or email me for further details (until May 10th).
To reach Had Yai, there are numerous trains, buses, aircon vans, and flights leaving Bangkok and Penang, Malaysia as well as all towns in Southern Thailand.
Once you get to Had Yai, for further details please phone our contact office in town (during working hours). Yui (Suwanna) will give you instructions to get to wherever the walk has reached. If a vehicle is going there, she will arrange transportation for you to come and join the walk.
Tel: 074/230-685; 239-594
Fax/Tel: 074/230-292
We look forward to being in touch with you. Even if you can’t join us in person, you can still visit this web site in a few weeks for stories, photos, and reports from the walk.