A Thai temple cat's bid for affection during solemn Buddhist prayers for the new year on Tuesday was enough to test the patience of a monk trying to maintain his concentration. Video of the saffron-robed monk gently trying to push away the cat who crawled into his lap during the five-hour-long prayers delighted Thais who saw the footage on Facebook.

"I was trying to read the book. But I was more focused on the cat," said the 25-year-monk, who uses the monastic name Luang Pi Komkrit Taechachoto. The video was originally posted on public Facebook group "Cats' Slaves" and was soon reposted on different pages. It has gained around 300,000 views collectively and was also replayed on Thai TV.

VIDEO: REUTERS

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