BANGKOK, Thailand – The government has announced a series of nationwide activities to celebrate the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty the King Attaining the Same Age as His Majesty King Buddha Yodfa Chulalok the Great (Rama I) on January 14, 2025. The occasion holds deep cultural and historical significance, rooted in royal traditions of honoring the legacies of past monarchs. Such ceremonies have been observed by Thai kings throughout the Chakri Dynasty as a tribute to their predecessors.
Similar events took place during the reign of King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, with four ceremonies marking age milestones aligned with past monarchs. These included tributes to Prince Mahidol Adulyadej, King Chulalongkorn the Great, King Mongkut, and King Buddha Yodfa Chulalok the Great. Among the most notable was the ceremony on May 23, 2000, when King Rama IX conducted a royal merit-making event at the Grand Palace to honor King Rama I.
To commemorate the occasion, seven major activities have been planned. A Royal Horoscope Ceremony will be held from January 13 to 20 at Saranrom Park and Wat Pho, featuring traditional Lanna rituals, cultural performances, and a traditional market. Restoration works are underway at Wat Sangkat Rattana Khiri in Uthai Thani province to preserve its historical importance to the Chakri Dynasty. A Khon performance will take place on January 14 at the King Rama I Monument in Bangkok. Additionally, the Treasury Department will issue commemorative coins and medals, and merit-making ceremonies will be conducted at temples such as Wat Pho and Wat Saket. Temples across Thailand and abroad will join in prayer and meditation sessions coordinated by the National Office of Buddhism.
Tree-planting activities, managed by the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, will also take place at King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great Memorial Park. Rare and symbolic trees, including golden teak and white cheesewood, will be planted to signify growth and continuity.
The Thai government has invited the public to participate in these events, uniting the nation to honor His Majesty the King and reflect on the enduring legacies of the Chakri Dynasty. (NNT)
