(Photo courtesy of the
Bureau of the Royal Household)
Sunday, May 5 marks the 63rd anniversary of the
Coronation of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great. The day is
celebrated as a national holiday; since this year it falls on a Sunday,
it will be observed on Monday May 6, and as such all government offices
and commercial banks will close for the day. ATMs and most currency
exchange booths, however, will remain open.
Whist being crowned King of Thailand, His Majesty
King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great took a sacred oath to rule with
Righteousness, for the Benefit and Happiness of the Thai people, which
He has done magnificently, garnering tremendous respect from His people.
HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great is the longest reigning monarch in
the world. Long Live the King!
Each year on the 5th of May, the Kingdom of Thailand commemorates the
day when, in 1950, the Coronation Ceremony was held for His Majesty King
Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, the 9th in the Chakri Dynasty (Rama IX).
HM the King, after studying in Europe, returned to Thailand and was
crowned King during an elaborate and highly intricate ceremony that out
lavished all previous coronations in Thailand.
A week prior to His being crowned King, on April 28, 1950, HM King
Bhumibol and Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitayakara were married. Following
the Coronation, HM the King returned to Switzerland to continue
studying.
(Photo courtesy of the
Bureau of the Royal Household)
The Coronation Ceremony reinforces the stature of the
Kings of Thailand. The first such elaborate ceremony was performed when
Pho Khun Phamuang succeeded Pho Khun Bangklangthao as the ruling King of
Muang Sukhothai. Phaya Lithai, a former leader in Sukhothai, left a
historical record in stone describing the coronation ceremony in
Sukhothai at Wat Srikhum.
In the beginning of the Ratanakosin era, the first King in the Chakri
Dynasty (HM King Buddhayodfa the Great) took the title of Rama I and
moved the capital of Siam from Thonburi to the opposite bank of the Chao
Phraya River, and constructed Krung Ratanakosin (Bangkok). In the
process of building the Royal Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the
Emerald Buddha) the first King in the House of Chakri refined the
coronation ceremony, establishing important protocol that has lasted to
this day. All Kings to follow not undergoing the coronation ceremony
would be unable to assume the term “Phrabat” in front of the King’s
title of “Somdej Phrachaoyuhua”, and more significantly, the symbol of
the nine-tiered umbrella would also not be permissible or officially
recognized.
The elaborate coronation ceremony of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej
the Great included all the ancient rituals required for assuming the
full title and the nine-tiered umbrella. HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej then
bestowed the honor posthumously on His brother HM King Ananda Mahidol.
HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s benevolent act raised HM King Ananda
Mahidol’s regal status from seven to a nine-tiered umbrella.
During the reign of HM King Mongkut (Rama IV), Buddhist monks and
Brahmin priests were incorporated into the coronation ceremony to
conduct rituals to sanctify the auspicious occasion. Previously the
ceremony was arranged and conducted by the Royal Palace staff and
members of the Royal Household.
The annual coronation ceremony is currently a three-day affair, starting
with a ritual “tham boon” ceremony on May 3 to honor the King’s
ancestors. Later on the first day, another ceremony is performed,
whereby flags of honor are issued to distinguish various military units.
The following day, Buddhist ceremonies continue with chanting rituals,
prayers and Brahman priests announcing the auspicious occasion
forthcoming the next day (May 5).
On the 5th of May, His Majesty conducts a merit making ceremony,
presenting offerings to Buddhist monks, and leads a “Wien Thien”
ceremony, walking three times around sacred grounds at the Temple of the
Emerald Buddha.
In the evening the King conducts another sacred ceremony: changing the
yellow cloth on the Emerald Buddha, the guardian symbol protecting the
Thai people, which was transferred from Thonburi to Wat Phra Kaew by
Rama I.
Many rooms in the Royal Palace are opened for public viewing on
Coronation Day. Auspicious ceremonies are performed and displays
depicting Royal achievements are exhibited to reconfirm the King’s
stature.
Pattaya Mail Media Group joins with the Kingdom of Thailand in joyously
celebrating Wan Chatramongkhol, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the
Great’s Coronation Day on Sunday, May 5. Long Live the King!
