Nearly 250 area youths and hill tribe children honored the royal family by becoming Buddhist novices in ordination ceremonies at two Sattahip temples.
At Sattahip Temple April 7, 86 youths pledged to spend their summer studying dharma and honoring HM the King by becoming monk novices. They were joined at Throngmetta Wanaram Temple by 34 children from five hill tribes in Chiang Rai, plus 124 children of Royal Thai Navy families. Their ordination came in honor of HRH Princess Sirindhorn.
Sattahip Mayor Narong Bunbancherdsri said the program will run 24 days over the school holidays. Eighty-six youths were selected to mark HM the King’s 86th year.
Sattahip youngsters join with hill tribe youths to enter the monkhood in honor of the royal family.
Vice Adm. Sonthaya Noichaya presided over the larger ceremony, which brought youths from the Hmong, Yao, Khummu, Muser and Lahu tribes from Chiang Rai to honor HRH the Princess’s 58th birthday.
Nattarasamee Srewwattanayon, director of Thungsrai Pattana School, which organized the field trip, said the hill tribe kids come from poor, underprivileged families and are at high risk of getting involved with drugs and crime. Joining the monkhood, even for a short time, can lead them to become better individuals, she said.
