Bangkok, 12 August 2019 – The Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, has led members of the public and civil servants to offer alms to Buddhist monks on the occasion of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother’s 87th birthday on August 12, 2019.
At 7:15 a.m. today (Aug 12) at Sanam Luang, Bangkok, the Prime Minister, together with his wife, Naraporn Chan-o-cha, presided over a merit-making ceremony. The religious ceremony was attended by senior monks, privy councilors, the President of the Independent Organizations Under the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, members of the Royal Office, cabinet ministers and their spouses, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, judicial officials, the Governor of Bangkok, commanders of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, the Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, government heads, civil servants, representatives of the private sector, and members of the general public.
A total of 488 monks from temples in Bangkok received alms, such as dried food and necessities, from the public during the ceremony. The alms will be given to foster homes and temples. The Prime Minister and his wife lit candles and incense sticks to pay homage to the Triple Gems. They presented candles, incense sticks and flowers covered with cone-shaped leaves before the image of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother. A group of 10 senior monks then chanted prayers.
The acting President of the Privy Council, privy councilors, and the Prime Minister, together with their spouses, presented robes to 10 monks. The ceremony was attended by privy councilors, the House Speaker, the President of the Supreme Court and members of the Royal Office. The Prime Minister sprinkled holy water and paid his respects to the Triple Gems and the image of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother.
At 8 a.m., Gen. Prayut and Mrs. Naraporn proceeded to the Red Room of the Royal Household Bureau inside the Grand Palace to sign their names and write their best wishes for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother on the occasion of Her Majesty’s 87th birthday. They presented funds to His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn’s Scholarship Foundation and a gold royal emblem at Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall of the Dusit Palace.
At 5 p.m., His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalaksha granted an audience to the Prime Minister and his wife on this auspicious occasion at Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall in the Grand Palace.
Meanwhile, a candle-lighting ceremony celebrating Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother’s birthday was held at Sanam Luang.
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