Monday October 18, 1999: 16.49 hours
The Ceremony of casting a Buddha image (Pang Ham Samut) to celebrate
the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King's 6th Cycle Birthday
Anniversary will be held at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
Thursday November 4, 1999: 15.30 hours
The Ceremony of Presenting the Annual Kathin Robes to the congregation of monks at Wat Arun Rajavararam (The
Temple of Dawn) will be preceded by the Royal Barge Procession down the Chao Phraya River.
This is the annual pilgrimage when His Majesty the King and members of the Royal Family make offerings
of robes, food and other necessities to the monks, in accordance to ancient customs and rituals that date as far back
as the Ayutthaya Period.
The most spectacular of all events is the Royal Barge Procession along the "River of Kings", the Chao Phraya. In
this festive event, dozens of Royal Barges, manned by thousands of rowers, will convey the Royal Party to Wat Arun
(the Temple of Dawn).
The Royal Thai Navy has scheduled two full-dress rehearsals of the Royal Barge Procession, on two different
Thursdays, October 7 and 21. Prior to those dates, minor rehearsals have been scheduled for September 9, 15, 23
and 30. In addition, there will be demonstrations and exhibitions on the origins of the Royal Barge Procession
between September 17 to 19 and 24 to 26.
November 11, 1999
The ceremony of Collecting Sacred Waters will be held around the country on this date. The Ministry of Interior Affairs
is responsible for this ceremony. On Thursday November 11 at 16.39 hours, every province including metropolitan
Bangkok will organize a worship ceremony to dip up water from sacred places or from the local lifeline water resources.
The collected waters will then be put into bottles or pottery wares, and kept at the respective temples in each province.
The sacred water will be assembled and sent to the Ministry of Interior Affairs by November 20 to be consecrated at
Wat Benjamaborphit Dusit Wanaram on December 3.
November 25, 1999
The Inauguration Ceremony of Pa Sak Chonlasit Dam will be held in Patana Nikom District, Lopburi Province.
Wednesday December 1, 1999: 16.30 hours
The Ceremony of celebrating the Buddha image previously cast in commemoration of His Majesty the King's 6th Cycle
Birthday Anniversary will take place at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
December 3, 1999: 15.09 hours
The Ceremony consecrating the previously collected sacred water will be held at Wat Benjamaborphit Dusit Wanaram.
December 5, 1999
1. At 10.30 hours: The Ceremony of Granting a Grand Audience to Officials of the Realm and the General Public will
be held at Ananta Samakom Throne Hall, where the people will pay their respects to His Majesty the King on the
Occasion of His 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary.
The morning ceremonies are as follows:
- The procession of the sacred water from 76 provinces moves from Wat Benjamaborphit Dusit
Wanaram to the Royal Plaza.
- At 10.30 hours, Their Majesties the King and Queen proceed to the window at the south front porch.
- His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the Prime Minister, the President of the National Assembly,
and the President of the Supreme Court offer their humble good wishes and congratulations to His Majesty
the King, and proceed to present the holy water collected from sacred sources throughout the Kingdom.
- Monks from all over the Kingdom chant their blessings in unison, together with the ringing of temple
bells. Religious leaders of other faiths will offer their blessings as well.
- His Majesty the King delivers a Royal Address.
2. At 16.30 hours: The Ceremony of Celebrating the Auspicious Occasion
of His Majesty the King's 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary will be held at Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall in
the Grand Palace.
The Ceremony includes such activities as follows:
- Their Majesties present commemorative Prayer Fans to the congregation of Vietnamese and
Chinese monks who thereafter chant their blessings at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
- Their Majesties proceed to Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall in the Grand Palace in order to present monastic
ranks to high-ranking monks.
December 6, 1999: 10.30 hours
The Ceremony of presenting a mid-day meal to the congregation of monks and the listening to a special sermon at
Amarin Winitchai Throne occurs in the Grand Palace.
December 8, 1999: 17.00 hours
The Ceremony of Granting an Audience to the Diplomatic Corps will be held at Phra Thinang Chakri Mahaprasat in the Grand Palace.
