Buriram, Thailand - Dr. Lek and Mrs. Vipa Thaveetermsakul hosted an Interfaith Peace Festival and marriage rededication in Buriram City on May 4, 2014 at the main auditorium of Ratchabhat Buriram University. There were 950 people in attendance, mostly from the northeast region of Thailand.
Dr. Lek, vice chair of UPF-Asia, and his wife established a project in Buriram called "Guiding Senior High School Students to a Healthy University Life," and the students invited relatives and neighbors from the numerous villages and communities in the area to the program, which began in the morning with a presentation on "The Family as the School of Love and Peace," given by Dr. Lek. Then Gen. Terdsak Maromme, president of UPF-Thailand, gave congratulatory remarks, and Rev. Kamol Thananopavarn gave a presentation about living for the sake of others, the cause and resolution of conflicts, and family relationships.
After the lecture, many community leaders expressed a desire for similar educational programs in their own districts in order to address the problems of immorality, drug abuse and family breakdown in their communities.
Speakers at the Interfaith Peace Festival in the afternoon included Dr. Chung Sik Yong, chair of UPF-Asia, and Mr. Chalermpol Pollawal, vice governor of Buriram province. A video was shown of similar festivals held in other parts of Thailand over the past two years. Prayers for blessing and rededication of marriage were offered by a Buddhist monk, Muslim leader and Christian pastor.
Dr. and Mrs. Lek officiated at the marriage rededication ceremony, which included a recording of a blessing prayer offered by the late UPF Founder Rev. Sun Myung Moon in March 2012 in Korea. The participating couples renewed their vows in a joyful and loving atmosphere.
Mrs. Kamoltip Phayakvichien, President of the Women's Federation for World Peace-Thailand, gave congratulatory remarks, and the festival closed with three cheers.