Phuket: The Prime Minister participated in a merit-making ceremony and offered alms to monks in celebration of His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch's 99th birthday. Today (June 26, 2026) at 7:00 AM, Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul and his wife presided over a Buddhist chanting ceremony and alms-giving event in honor of His Holiness Somdej Phra Ariyavongsakhatayan, the Supreme Patriarch, on the occasion of his 99th birthday. The ceremony was attended by cabinet ministers, heads of independent organizations, commanders of the armed forces and police, heads of government agencies at the ministerial level or equivalent, and representatives from government agencies at Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Mahasimararam, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok.
According to Thai News Agency, upon arriving at Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Mahasimararam, the Prime Minister and his wife paid respects before the Royal Monument of King Chulalongkorn by offering garlands and lighting incense. They then proceeded inside the main chapel, lighting incense and candles to worship the Triple Gem, and lighting incense before the portrait of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, and before the image of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavadi, Krom Luang Rajasarinisiripatchara Mahavajrarajathida.
The Prime Minister then paid respects to His Holiness Somdej Phra Ariyavongsakhatayan, the Supreme Patriarch, and ten other senior monks, who bestowed blessings and chanted Buddhist prayers. The Prime Minister and his wife, the President of the Parliament, the President of the Supreme Court, the President of the Senate, the presidents of independent organizations, and officials from the Royal Household offered robes and other traditional Thai offerings to ten monks. The monks offered their blessings. The Prime Minister then performed the water pouring ritual and bowed in reverence to the Triple Gem before paying respects before the portraits of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, and Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavadi, and before paying homage to His Holiness Somdej Phra Ariyavongsakhatayan, the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand.
Following the completion of the Buddhist chanting ceremony, His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch proceeded to the platform in front of the main chapel and offered alms to the monks. Subsequently, senior monks, high-ranking monks, and 108 monks from the ordination project under the patronage of His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch, who were ordained to offer merit to Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavadi, Krom Luang Rajasarinisiripatchara Mahavajrarajathida, walked to receive alms. The Prime Minister and his wife, along with other attendees, participated in offering alms in unison.