Bangkok, July 20 – His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen traveled by royal car from Amporn Palace, Dusit Palace, to Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram (Wat Phra Kaew – the Temple of Emerald Buddha), the Grand Palace, to participate in a royal merit-making ceremony on the occasion of Asalha Puja 2567 BE (2024).
Upon arriving at the temple, His Majesty the King lit the traditional candles in front of the Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulalok (King Rama I) and Phra Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (King Rama II) statues. He then presented the ceremonial candle offerings, incense sticks, floral offerings, golden and silver trees, and lit the incense and candles at the worship area dedicated to the Phra Buddha Maha Mani Rattana Patimakorn, Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulalok, and Phra Buddha Loetla Nabhalai statues. Following this, His Majesty lit the main ceremonial candles at the front of the sermon platform and paid homage.
Her Majesty the Queen lit the ceremonial candles at the sides of the worship area and also paid homage. Subsequently, Air Marshal Pakdee Saengchuto, acting director of the Royal Ceremonies Division, was granted an audience to present the ceremonial candles to His Majesty the King, who lit them from an electric lantern and handed them back to Air Marshal Pakdee. These candles are to be preserved and later offered to the abbots of various royal temples for lighting the candles that His Majesty has dedicated.
His Majesty the King offered ceremonial candles to the Supreme Patriarch, Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana, along with other high-ranking monks, royal monks, and 20 Phra Phrom Pariyatti Thera monks. Following this, Her Majesty the Queen, members of the royal family, privy councilors, and senior government officials presented and offered candles to a total of 210 monks.
Finally, Their Majesties paid homage at the main worship area and received respect from the attendees. They then returned to the royal car and departed from Wat Phra Kaew, concluding the ceremony.
