PM Opens Ceremony Honoring Supreme Patriarch's 99th Birthday

On Friday, June 19, 2026, His Holiness Somdej Phra Ariyavongsagatanyana, Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, received Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Interior Minister, and the Cabinet to pay formal respects at the opening ceremony celebrating his 99th birthday on June 26, 2026, held at Rajabophit Sathitmahaseemaram Temple in Bangkok's Phra Nakhon district.

The Prime Minister then presided over the opening of the exhibition "13 Cycles of Rajabophit: Royal Patronage of Faith," commemorating the Supreme Patriarch's 99th birthday and honoring the legacy and contributions of Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati, the former royal patroness of the temple.

The event was organized jointly by the Prime Minister's Office, Rajabophit Sathitmahaseemaram Temple, and related agencies. Attendees included government officials, clergy, government employees, students, and Buddhists from across the country.

The celebration features multiple exhibitions and activities, including a commemorative exhibition highlighting Princess Bajrakitiyabha's biography, achievements, and contributions to the temple; and an exhibition titled "99 Years of Auspicious Dharmic Virtue" presenting the history of the temple, its past abbots, and the Supreme Patriarch's life and work, reflecting the interconnection between religious institutions, the Thai monarchy, and society.

The program also includes temple tours of Rajabophit Sathitmahaseemaram, a royal first-class temple of the Fifth and Seventh Reigns, featuring historical, architectural, and artistic significance. Additional highlights include light, color, and projection mapping displays inside the main stupa titled "Rattanakosin Faith Under Monastic Merit," cultural performances, local wisdom demonstrations, and academic seminars by experts discussing religion, history, and contemporary society.