Thailand Holds Merit-Making Ceremony For Late Queen Sirikit

On Monday, August 10, 2026, the Department of Religious Affairs under the Ministry of Culture held a merit-making ceremony dedicated to the late Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother of a Thousand Years, in recognition of her birthday on August 12, 2026. The ceremony at Pathumkhongka Temple in Bangkok's Samphanthawong District was presided over by senior monks and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, with the Director-General of the Department of Religious Affairs and numerous government officials and members of the public attending. The activity aimed to give citizens the opportunity to participate in merit-making, demonstrate loyalty and gratitude for the Queen's immeasurable kindness, and promote reverence for the nation, religion, and monarchy while fostering national unity and using the institution of the Crown as the spiritual center of all Thai people. The central activities included royal tribute ceremonies, Buddhist chanting, and dharma sermons dedicated as merit to honor the late Queen's extraordinary compassion. Regional cultural offices throughout the country organized similar activities suited to their local contexts during August 2026, including merit-making ceremonies, exhibitions, video productions showcasing the Queen's religious works, and educational programs promoting civic engagement. The activities also encouraged people of all faiths to apply religious teachings to daily life, uphold moral and ethical principles, and preserve the nation's cultural heritage, while inviting the public to reflect on and honor the Queen's numerous contributions in religion, art, and culture made for the welfare of the Thai people.