Bangkok: Their Majesties the King and Queen attended the royal ceremony for the conferment of monastic titles upon monks and novices. His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen participated in the ordination ceremony for monks and novices as part of the royal merit-making ceremony for Visakha Puja Day, Buddhist Era 2569.
According to Thai News Agency, at 6:10 PM, Their Majesties arrived at the Ubosot (main chapel) of Wat Phra Sri Rattanasadaram in the Grand Palace for the event. His Majesty granted an audience to Air Vice Marshal Phakdi Saeng-Chuto, Acting Director of the Royal Ceremonial Department, who reported on the number of candles donated by His Majesty. These candles were to be lit in worship of the Triple Gem at seven royal temples on Visakha Puja Day and the anniversary of the Buddha's cremation.
His Majesty the King participated in various ceremonial acts, including placing a floral offering on a tray in front of the altar, lighting incense and candles, and paying homage to the Phra Buddha Maha Mani Ratana Patimakor (Emerald Buddha). Her Majesty the Queen also participated by lighting smaller golden incense and candles at the front of the stone pulpit.
During the ceremony, His Majesty presented ceremonial fans to 299 monks and novices who passed the 9th and 6th levels of Pali scholarship examinations in 2026. The monks chanted auspicious verses, following which His Majesty presented robes to the chanting monks.
His Majesty also granted an audience to the winners of the 2026 Children's Buddhist Education Book Contest. The contest, themed "Honesty Pays Off, Dishonesty Doesn't Last," awarded Mr. Kritchai Chumsang first prize, Lieutenant Commander (female) Sutiya Poonied second prize, and Mr. Chakrit Maniwan third prize. After the awards were presented, His Majesty poured the ceremonial water, and monks offered blessings and prayers.
The royal ceremony of conferring monastic titles upon monks and novices by the King is a tradition dating back to the reign of King Rama I. Initially held at the Amarin Winichai Throne Hall, it was later included in the royal Visakha Puja merit-making ceremony at Wat Phra Sri Rattanasatdaram. King Rama VII further developed the tradition by bestowing monastic titles and honorary fans upon monks and novices who passed Pali scholarship examinations. Additionally, the Royal Academy of Thailand organizes a competition for writing books on Buddhist education for children, with the winning book being published and distributed on Visakha Puja Day.