Buriram: The Prime Minister led the ceremonial offering to officially open the "Closing the Gold Leaf Ceremony" event. The Prime Minister led a delegation to pay homage to King Rama I and officially opened the "Closing the Gold Leaf Ceremony" in Buriram province, seeking blessings to end the old year and welcome the new. "Nevvin" (the Prime Minister) also appeared, participating in the ceremony and sitting under the 37th silver umbrella.
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul and his delegation arrived by helicopter from Buriram Airport at the monument of King Phutthayodfa Chulalok (Rama I) in Isan Subdistrict, Mueang Buriram District, Buriram Province, to preside over the "Gold Leafing and Homage to King Rama I" project. They were welcomed by Lieutenant General Adul Boonthamcharoen, Deputy Minister of Defence; Mr. Newin Chidchob, Chairman of Buriram United Football Club; General Chaiyapruk Duangprapat, Chief of Staff of the Royal Thai Army; Police Major General Warayut Chan-iam, Commander of Buriram Provincial Police; along with military and police officers, volunteer defense corps members, and candidates for Member of Parliament (MP) from Buriram, who also participated in the ceremonial offering.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister ascended the throne to pay homage to the statue of King Phutthayodfa Chulalok, lighting incense and candles as part of the offering ceremony. The Deputy Minister of Defence and the leader of the Bhumjaithai Party joined in placing incense sticks on the offerings, and prayers were recited, including verses honoring the Triple Gem, invocation of deities, and offering prayers. Following this, Brahmins played music, including the "Bat Sakuni" melody, and the Prime Minister scattered flowers onto the offerings. While the monks chanted the "Chayanto" prayer, Mr. Anutin and Mr. Newin applied gold leaf to the silver and gold finials on all four sides of the monument. They then proceeded to apply gold leaf to the base of the 37th spire. Finally, the Prime Minister and other participants joined in applying gold leaf to the base of the 37th spire.
The "Gold Leaf Application Ceremony to Honor King Rama I" project is an annual tradition of Buriram Province, held from December 29th to January 1st. It allows citizens and tourists to participate in applying gold leaf around the statue of King Rama I at the Rama I roundabout in Buriram. This is a way to show respect and bring good fortune for the new year, and to commemorate the heroic deeds of King Rama I. The event is organized by the province in collaboration with various government agencies to preserve history and create auspiciousness.
Reporters said that during the ceremony, Mr. Newin sat under the 37th silver umbrella out of a total of 360 umbrellas surrounding the royal monument, which corresponds to the number of a candidate on the Bhumjaithai Party's party-list for Member of Parliament.