Bangkok, July 21 – His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen traveled to Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram (Wat Phra Kaew) to change the seasonal attire of the Emerald Buddha from the summer to the rainy season. Following this, they participated in a royal merit-making ceremony at Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall in the Grand Palace to commemorate the 200th anniversary of King Rama II’s passing.
Upon arrival at Wat Phra Kaew, His Majesty the King proceeded to the rear of the base supporting the Emerald Buddha. Ascending the dais, he removed the crown from the Buddha statue and bathed it with perfumed water from the sacred conch shells, performed by palace officials. After drying the statue with a white cloth, His Majesty dressed the Emerald Buddha in the rainy season robe and paid homage.
Her Majesty the Queen then lit the ceremonial candles at the sides of the altar and also paid homage. Afterward, the King and Queen offered ceremonial water to members of the royal family and officials present, who in turn paid homage to the Buddha statue.
Following this ceremony, Their Majesties traveled to Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall. Upon arrival, His Majesty lit incense and candles to pay homage to the Phra Buddha Chaiwat, King Rama II’s personal Buddha image, and the royal relics. The King and Queen offered ceremonial items and candles, and His Majesty presented commemorative fans to the Supreme Patriarch and senior monks.
The monks chanted blessings, after which His Majesty offered robes to the 58 monks, completing the merit-making ceremony. They then paid homage to the Buddha images and the royal relics before departing from the throne hall.
King Rama II, born on February 24, 1767, was renowned for his many contributions to Thailand, including the suppression of invasions, the fortification of the capital, and the restoration of temples. His reign is considered a golden age of the early Rattanakosin period, with significant cultural and artistic achievements. He passed away on July 21, 1824, marking exactly 200 years. To honor his legacy, His Majesty the King graciously presided over this commemorative ceremony.
