Thailand is set to organize “The Celebration on the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty the King’s 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary 28th July 2024,” which involves a series of events throughout the year to commemorate the 72nd birthday anniversary of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua (Rama X). 

Many of the celebrations will spotlight His Majesty the King’s many accomplishments and contributions to the people of Thailand, as well as activities befitting the monarchy’s cultural and spiritual leadership. In 2024, visitors to Thailand can expect to see buildings and public places festooned in yellow and white to mark the occasion.

Royal Events in 2024
1. Feb 24 – Mar 3: Sanam Luang Ceremony to Enshrine Buddha Relics
2. Mar 18 – July 28: Buddhist Rites and Merit Making
3. July 23: Commemorative Banknotes and Coins Available for Exchange
4. Oct 27: Royal Barge Procession for Royal Kathina Ceremony
5. Dec 3: Royal Guards Oath-taking Ceremony and Parade
6. Check back for more announcements.

Invitation to pay homage to the Relics of the Lord Buddha (February 24th to March 18th, 2024)

A ceremony has been held to invite the relics of the Lord Buddha and his two disciples from India and temporarily enshrine them at the Sanam Luang ceremonial grounds. The event was attended by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, related committee members, and representatives from various agencies and was made possible through collaboration between Thailand’s Ministry of Culture, the National Museum of Bangkok, and the Embassy of India in Bangkok.

The Buddhist relics at the Sanam Luang have been made available to the public to pay homage from February 24th to March 3rd, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. People attending are encouraged to wear Thai traditional clothing or formal white attire.

Afterward, there will be ceremonies to invite the Buddhist relics to other regions of Thailand, as follows: 

• Northern Thailand at the Grand Pavilion (Hor Kham Luang) in Royal Park Rajapruek, Chiang Mai from March 5th–8th.
• Northeast Thailand (Isan) at Maha Wanaram Temple in Ubon Ratchathani from March 10th–13th.

Southern Thailand at the Maha That Wachiramongkol Temple (Wat Bang Thong) in Krabi from March 15th–18th.

 

Buddhist rites and merit making (March 18th to July 28th, 2024)

The Prime Minister’s Office has launched a countrywide initiative involving Buddhist rites every Monday leading up to His Majesty the King’s birthday on July 28th. This initiative is a fusion of Thailand’s devout Buddhism and its deep-rooted reverence for the monarchy, aiming to bring together Buddhists in a collective act of merit making for the King. 

Not only are temples within the country invited to participate, but Thai temples around the world are also encouraged to host similar celebrations for this momentous event. Attendees are urged to wear yellow during the ceremonies, as the King was born on a Monday, and yellow is closely associated with that day of the week.

The ceremonies will include Thai poetry crafted in honor of His Majesty’s birthday. In addition, the Supreme Sangha Council, which governs the Buddhist monastic order in Thailand, has endorsed a set of Buddhist prayers and chants to be used during these ceremonies.

Commemorative banknotes and coins (July 23rd, 2024 onwards)

His Majesty The King has granted royal permission for the Bank of Thailand (BoT) to issue commemorative banknotes in honor of His Majesty’s birthday, which are available for the public to exchange. The BoT has produced a total of 10 million commemorative banknotes in the THB100 denomination, which can be used as legal tender. The central bank has also prepared a commemorative pamphlet, with all proceeds from the sale to be offered for charitable purposes, at His Majesty’s pleasure.

In stark contrast to the regular Thai currency in circulation, these commemorative banknotes were designed vertically with a portrait of His Majesty the King in the center. They are printed with advanced technologies on polymer materialto ensure durability and to take advantage of comprehensive anti-counterfeiting techniques. 

 
Front of banknote (left) and back of banknote (right). Source: Bank of Thailand Website

Those interested in obtaining the commemorative banknotes can contact all commercial banks in Thailand, as well as the Government Savings Bank (GSB), Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), Government Housing Bank (GH Bank), Islamic Bank of Thailand (iBank) or the BoT Learning Center from July 23rd, 2024 onwards.

In addition, the Treasury Department has been granted royal permission to produce silver commemorative medals (with ribbon) which may be worn in the manner of orders, decorations and medals, as well as multiple types of commemorative coinage for this auspicious occasion. The obverse of the commemorative medals and coins will feature a portrait of His Majesty the King, while the reverse will display His Majesty’s 72nd birthday anniversary emblem.

The five types of coins are as follows:
1. Gold coin with a face value of THB20,000 and selling price of THB50,000 per coin
2. Silver coin with a face value of THB1,000 and selling price of THB3,000 per coin
3. Polished copper-nickel alloy coin with a face value of THB20 and selling price of THB200 per coin
4. Copper-nickel alloy coin with a face value of THB50 and selling price of THB50 per coin
5. Regular copper-nickel alloy coin with a face value of THB20 and selling price of THB20 per coin

The Royal Barge procession for the Royal Kathina ceremony at Wat Arun (October 27th, 2024)

The Royal Barge procession for the Royal Kathina ceremony at Wat Arun Ratchawararam (also known as the Temple of Dawn) scheduled for October 27th, 2024 will see His Majesty the King travel by Royal Barge to present robes to Buddhist monks.

The procession — the second under His Majesty the King’s reign — will make its way along the Chao Phraya River to Wat Arun, featuring 52 barges in a formation called Dao Lom Duen, manned by approximately 2,200 oarsmen. Spanning 1,200 meters in length and 90 meters in width, this majestic display promises to be a remarkable sight.  

The Dao Lom Duen formation, invented by Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Krom Phra Srisavangavadhana, is arranged into five columns, with the royal barges in the center, two rows of escorts, and lesser escort barges on each side. 

The Royal Thai Navy has undertaken extensive preparations, including dress rehearsals, ship repairs, and even composing four barge-rowing songs to mark this distinguished occasion. 
 Source: NeoPhoto / iStock.com

Royal Guards Oath-taking Ceremony and Parade (December 3rd, 2024)

The Royal Guards Oath-taking Ceremony and Parade is set to be held on December 3rd, 2024 at the Dusit Palace Plaza, Bangkok, marking the first event of its kind in nine years.

Her Majesty the Queen will command the parade, with 12 battalions of Royal Guards and one battalion of Royal Horse Guards participating. His Majesty the King will review the troops, preside over the ceremony, and deliver a royal address. The Chief of the Defence Forces will lead the guards in their oath of allegiance to His Majesty. 
Source: Darinmarch / Shutterstock.com

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