(Photo courtesy of the Bureau of the Royal
Household)
Thursday, May 5 marks the 61st anniversary of the
Coronation of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great. The day is
celebrated as a national holiday, and as such all government offices and
commercial banks will close for the day.
(Photo courtesy of the Bureau of the Royal Household)
Whist being crowned King of Thailand, His Majesty
King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great took a sacred oath to rule with
Righteousness, for the Benefit and Happiness of the Thai people, which
He has done magnificently, garnering tremendous respect from His people.
HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great is the longest reigning monarch in
the world. Long Live the King!
Each year on the 5th of May, the Kingdom of Thailand
commemorates the day when, in 1950, the Coronation Ceremony was held for
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, the 9th in the Chakri
Dynasty (Rama IX).
HM the King, after studying in Europe, returned to
Thailand and was crowned King during an elaborate and highly intricate
ceremony that out lavished all previous coronations in Thailand.
A week prior to His being crowned King, on April 28,
1950, H.M. King Bhumibol and Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitayakara were
married. Following the Coronation, HM the King returned to Switzerland
to continue studying.
The Coronation Ceremony reinforces the stature of the
Kings of Thailand. The first such elaborate ceremony was performed when
Pho Khun Phamuang succeeded Pho Khun Bangklangthao as the ruling King of
Muang Sukhothai. Phaya Lithai, a former leader in Sukhothai, left a
historical record in stone describing the coronation ceremony in
Sukhothai at Wat Srikhum.
In the beginning of the Ratanakosin era, the first
King in the Chakri Dynasty (HM King Buddhayodfa the Great) took the
title of Rama I and moved the capital of Siam from Thonburi to the
opposite bank of the Chao Phraya River, and constructed Krung
Ratanakosin (Bangkok). In the process of building the Royal Palace and
Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) the first King in the House
of Chakri refined the coronation ceremony, establishing important
protocol that has lasted to this day. All Kings to follow not undergoing
the coronation ceremony would be unable to assume the term “Phrabat” in
front of the King’s title of “Somdej Phrachaoyuhua”, and more
significantly, the symbol of the nine-tiered umbrella would also not be
permissible or officially recognized.
The elaborate coronation ceremony of His Majesty King
Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great included all the ancient rituals required
for assuming the full title and the nine-tiered umbrella. HM King
Bhumibol Adulyadej then bestowed the honor posthumously on His brother
HM King Ananda Mahidol. HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s benevolent act
raised HM King Ananda Mahidol’s regal status from seven to a nine-tiered
umbrella.
During the reign of HM King Mongkut (Rama IV),
Buddhist monks and Brahmin priests were incorporated into the coronation
ceremony to conduct rituals to sanctify the auspicious occasion.
Previously the ceremony was arranged and conducted by the Royal Palace
staff and members of the Royal Household.
The annual coronation ceremony is currently a
three-day affair, starting with a ritual “tham boon” ceremony on May 3
to honor the King’s ancestors. Later on the first day, another ceremony
is performed, whereby flags of honor are issued to distinguish various
military units.
The following day, Buddhist ceremonies continue with
chanting rituals, prayers and Brahman priests announcing the auspicious
occasion forthcoming the next day (May 5).
On the 5th of May, His Majesty traditionally conducts
a merit making ceremony, presenting offerings to Buddhist monks, and
leads a “Wien Thien” ceremony, walking three times around sacred grounds
at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
In the evening, traditionally HM the King conducts
another sacred ceremony: changing the yellow cloth on the Emerald
Buddha, the guardian symbol protecting the Thai people, which was
transferred from Thonburi to Wat Phra Kaew by Rama I.
Many rooms in the Royal Palace are opened for public viewing on
Coronation Day. Auspicious ceremonies are performed and displays
depicting Royal achievements are exhibited to reconfirm the King’s
stature.
