>> ASIAONE / MULTIMEDIA / PHOTO GALLERY
 

'Dying' to live again

For a small fee, one can have a go at the ultimate of second chances - the chance to die, rise again, and make a fresh start in life.

At Wat Prommanee temple in Thailand's Nakhon Nayok province, about 100km east of Bangkok, hundreds of Buddhist believers take turns climbing into one of nine coffins at 9.09am and 1.09pm every day.

The unusual resurrection service lasts about 90 seconds for each group and is believed to wash away bad luck and prolong life.

Once in the coffins, visitors hold a banquet of flowers, whisper some prayers, then lie down and "die".

Monks pass a white cloth over the coffins, triggering the symbolic death and sucking up the bad karma.

Read also:

» Dealing with the dead
» Take a coffin nap for better luck
» Singapore charity uses 'happy coffins' to celebrate life


Photos: AFP, Reuters

We welcome contributions, comments and tips.
a1photo@sph.com.sg