In picture 1000 marching monk in Bangkok

Mass alms ceremony to assist Buddhists in southern Thailand facing a bloody decade-long Muslim insurgency. George Henton

Bangkok, Thailand - As part of an annual event, 10,000 Buddhist monks gathered in Bangkok's commercial heartland in a mass alms-offering ceremony. Thousands of worshippers lined the route on Sunday with dried food and drinks ready to donate as the sun rose over the Thai capital. The food and supplies collected were reportedly to be donated to other monks and civil servants working in Thailand's restive southern provinces, where a violent insurgency rages on that has killed about 6,000 people since 2004. Buddhist monks - seen by some as a symbol of the Thai state in the Malay-Muslim dominated southern region - are a regular target of the rebel fighters in drive-by shootings - and even beheadings. The gathering in Bangkok was organised by the controversial Wat Phra Dhammakaya, a Buddhist temple on the outskirts of the city renowned for its mass gatherings, in which symmetry and discipline play an integral role. The temple has faced criticism in Thailand, however, described by some as a "cult" and derided by critics as little more than a commercial venture, preying on the vulnerable who are fooled into believing they can literally buy a better place in their next life. Notably, the mass gathering, which was officially endorsed, was the first large street congregation since a military coup six months ago, after which martial law dictated that the assembly of more than five people was illegal.

The gathering took place amid some of Bangkok's most luxurious shopping malls. /George Henton/Al Jazeera Ten thousand monks joined in Buddhist chants for the first hour before walking among followers who gave them food and drinks. /George Henton/Al Jazeera /George Henton/Al Jazeera A monk in deep contemplation sits near the front of the large group. /George Henton/Al Jazeera Lines of monks walk between their followers who are dressed in white as a symbol of their faith. /George Henton/Al Jazeera Soldiers and other volunteers helped the monks carry the donated supplies. /George Henton/Al Jazeera Despite the early Sunday morning start, small crowds and tourists gathered to watch the event. /George Henton/Al Jazeera Lines of monks walk back and forth carrying their alms bowls, ready to accept offerings. /George Henton/Al Jazeera The monks disperse at the end of the ceremony.