Chonburi Gov. Wichit Chatpaisit leads hundreds
of residents, community leaders and other dignitaries at the Sala
Chalermphrakiart Hall in marking the 61st anniversary of the Coronation of
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great.
Chonburi Public
Relations
Chonburi Gov. Wichit Chatpaisit led hundreds of
residents, community leaders and other dignitaries in marking the 61st
anniversary of the Coronation of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the
Great.
Each year on May 5, 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.
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 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 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.
