Today, Betong Municipality Mayor Somyod Lertlamyong led Buddhist Thai and Malaysian people in an alms giving ceremony at Buddhadhiwat Temple in Betong district in Yala province as part of Asanha Bucha and Buddhist Lent, which are both holy religious days. The event was held to preserve the Buddhist religious custom and to contribute merits on behalf of all of the deaths caused by terrorism in the border southern provinces.

Asanha Bucha typically takes place in July on the full moon of the eighth lunar month. It marks the day that Buddha gave his first sermon and the first day that the Three Jewels namely Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, was complete. Buddhists normally go to temples to donate offerings, listen to sermons, pray and perform a triple circumambulation ceremony.