Royal Land Grant Ceremony for Hospital Named After Senior Buddhist Monk
A senior Buddhist monk received a royal land grant for a hospital bearing his name on his 99th birthday, with the government renaming Damnoen Sadoek Hospital in Ratchaburi Province to expand medical services for monks, the elderly, and the
On Friday, June 26, 2569, Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanyanuwat, Somdet Phra Sangkharat, descended to the ordination hall of Wat Rajbopit Satit Maha Simaram to preside over a ceremony granting land to a hospital named after him on the occasion of his 99th birthday. The ceremony was held to dedicate merit to the late Queen Sirikit and Princess Bajrakitiyabha. Vice Prime Minister Ekniti Nitithanpraphase, Health Minister Pattana Prom-in, and officials attended.
The government approved renaming the Damnoen Sadoek Hospital in Ratchaburi Province as Somdet Phra Sangkharat Hospital (Ampormahathera). Deputy Secretary to the Prime Minister Yupa Taweewattanakij reported that this honor recognizes the hospital's humanitarian mission serving monks, the elderly, and the general public in Ratchaburi, the senior monk's birthplace.
The hospital requires expansion of medical and public health services to better serve an aging Thai population in line with the senior monk's vision. The Somdet Phra Sangkharat Foundation, with support from Wat Rajbopit and Buddhist devotees, has procured 7 rai and 34 square wagons of adjacent land to extend hospital facilities.
This initiative continues the legacy of the senior monk's predecessor, whose humanitarian works included founding another hospital in Ayutthaya Province. The Prime Minister's office will facilitate transfer of the land deed to the Finance Ministry to register it as state property for the hospital's use under Public Health Ministry supervision, honoring the monk's 99th birthday and in anticipation of his 100th birthday next year.
