Preparation of Sacred Water for the Royal Coronation Ceremony

This month sees the Royal Coronation Ceremony but preparations have been going on since early last month. From the beginning of April waters have been collected from 76 provinces to combine with waters from Bangkok blessed and consecrated in readiness for the Royal Purification and Anointment Ceremonies. The sacred water is taken in a procession from Wat Suthat to be kept at the ubosot of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Inscribing the Royal Golden Plaques and Engraving of the Royal Seal of State

Ten monks chant prayers at the ubosot (the holiest prayer room) of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The next day a ceremony is held to make an inscription on the Royal Golden Plaque of the official title of His Majesty the King, the Royal Golden Plaque of His Majesty’s horoscope, the engraving of the Royal Seal of State and the inscription of the Royal Golden Plaques, with the official titles of members of the Royal Family.

2 May 2019

His Majesty the King pays homage to the Equestrian Statue of King Chulalongkorn at Royal Plaza and the Memorial of King Rama I at the foot of Memorial Bridge. He also worships sacred beings at Baisal Daksin Throne Hall and Chakrabat Biman Royal Residence.

Three-Day Royal Coronation Ceremony

4th May 2019

The Royal Purification Ceremony, takes place at Chakrabat Biman Royal Residence and refers to the action of pouring holy water over the head of the King. It is followed by the Anointment Ceremony at Baisal Daksin Throne Hall from which His Majesty then proceeds to the Bhadrapitha Throne and sits under the Royal Nine-tiered Umbrella, where the Chief Brahmin presents him with the Royal Golden Plaque of His Majesty’s official title, the Royal Regalia, the Ancient and Auspicious Orders, and the Weapons of Sovereignty. After the Crowning and Investiture Ceremony, His Majesty presents the First Royal Command. He then grants a grand audience to members of the Royal Family, the Privy Council, and the Cabinet, as well as senior officials, gathered to offer their best wishes to His Majesty at Amarindra Vinicchaya Throne Hall. At 4pm His Majesty proceeds to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha to proclaim himself the Royal Patron of Buddhism.

5 May

At 9 a.m. there is a ceremony to bestow His Majesty’s Royal Cypher and Royal Title and to grant the royal ranks to members of royalty that takes place at Amarindra Vinicchaya Throne Hall. Later a 4.30 pm His Majesty the King rides in the Royal Palanquin in the Royal Procession on Land to encircle the city, affording people the opportunity to attend and pay homage to their new King.

6 May

At 4:30 pm His Majesty the King grants a public audience on the balcony of Suddhaisavarya Prasad Hall in the Grand Palace to receive his well wishes from the people. Then an audience is granted to members of the international diplomatic corps who offer their felicitations on this special occasion at Chakri Maha Prasad Throne Hall.

Royal Barge Procession in October

The final procedure of the Coronation of King Rama X is the Royal Barge Procession, to be held in October 2019. The procession begins at the Wasukri pier when His Majesty the King travels along the Chao Phraya River to Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) to present robes to Buddhist monks (Royal Kathin Ceremony). About 2,300 oarsmen will be prepared to row over 50 barges arranged into five groupings, from the Wasukri pier to Wat Arun, with a total length of four kilometers. Rhythmic barge-rowing songs are part of this ceremonial water-borne procession, which is a rare spectacle, arranged on special occasions only.

The royal processions, both by land and by water, exhibit the glory and great power of the monarch, in accordance with the traditional beliefs and court traditions handed down through generations. They also mark the conclusion of the Royal Coronation Ceremony, which is considered one of the most important events for all Thai kings.