King and Queen Preside Over Royal Kathin at Wat Arun
His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen presided over the Royal Kathin robe-offering ceremony at Wat Arun in Bangkok on November 6, 2026, in honor of the Queen's fourth cycle birthday. The royal couple arrived by royal barge, offered Kathin robes to the monastic community, and participated in traditional rites including candle-lighting and the presentation of royal gifts. The event concluded with the King viewing an exhibition on the historic prang of Wat Arun and its significance as a Rattanakosin landmark.
At 4:47 p.m. on November 6, 2026, His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen boarded the Royal Barge Suphannahong and docked at the landing in front of the ordination hall of Wat Arun Ratchawararam to preside over the Royal Kathin ceremony marking the fourth cycle birthday anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen on June 3, 2026. Admiral Narong Wongtrakool, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy and commander of the royal barge procession, reported the readiness of the flotilla.
Subsequently, the Royal Barge Anantanakkharat docked alongside the Suphannahong, and Their Royal Highnesses Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya and Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, along with Khun Phra Sineenat Pilaskalayani, proceeded to the landing. At 5:04 p.m., the King, Queen, Princess Sirivannavari, Prince Dipangkorn, and Khun Phra Sineenat entered the ordination hall.
The King placed the upper robe on a gold tray before the monks' assembly, lit candles before the principal Buddha image Phra Phuttha Thammanirak Ratchalokthaddilok, and before the relics of King Rama II. He then presented a monastic blanket for the principal image, bestowed royal decorations on officials, and granted a royal audience to the Director-General of the Religious Affairs Department, Mr. Jatuporn Chiwawichawalakul, who reported the number of participating monks. The King then took the Kathin robe from the tray, recited the formal offering verse, placed the robe back on the tray, and distributed Kathin robes and Patimokkha candles to the Sangha.
After the monks completed the Kathin ceremony and the recipient monk received the robe, Princess Sirivannavari presented monastic requisites to the recipient. The King then poured the dedicatory water, and the monks chanted blessings. The King next granted an audience to Mr. Kiattivisut Phetmuenwai, Director of the Bangkok Yai District, who presented donations from the faithful for temple maintenance. The King accepted commemorative gifts in return and took leave of the Sangha.
On this occasion, Phra Phromwacharamethi, the abbot of Wat Arun, presented a 9-inch Luang Pho Chaeng Buddha image, Luang Pho Chaeng amulets, a tiger-faced takrut, Phra Pimon Tham, and a Luang Pho Pan tiger claw to the King and Queen, who graciously accepted them.
The King then lit candles before the Buddha image Phra Phuttha Narumit, a Rama II-era statue, and visited the exhibition "Wat Arun's Prang: Icon of Rattanakosin Toward World Heritage," which traces the prang's construction history, the royal benevolence of past monarchs, and the ongoing restoration and preservation of the temple complex.
