BANGKOK: Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Thursday (April 11) attended a religious ceremony at Government House in Bangkok to mark the Songkran Festival, Thailand’s traditional new year.
Songkran Day is officially observed on April 13, which is also the National Elderly Day, while April 14 is observed as Family Day. This year, the government announced April 12 as a public holiday for a long weekend that allows Thais to travel to their hometowns and visit their families.
The ceremony at Government House started at 8.30am with the PM paying respects to the Brahma shrine in front of the Thai Khu Fah Building.
Srettha then attended the Buddhist chanting ceremony at Phakdibodin Building. Abbots of 10 temples in Bangkok performed the chanting, and sprinkled holy water on the premier and other participants for good luck.
The PM then sprinkled scented water on a Buddha statue, a Thai tradition to pay respect to sacred beings on the new year's day, after which he allowed other people to perform the “Rot Nam Dam Hua” ritual on him – where younger people prepare scented water to wash their elders' hands and ask for blessing.
Srettha thanked participants for preserving Thai traditions on new year’s day, National Elderly Day and Family Day. He wished all Thais happiness, robust health and a strong spirit to work for the benefit of the country.
He also wished that 2024 be a good year that would usher in good fortune in the following years.
The PM also gave Buddhist amulets from Wat Huai Duan in Nakhon Sawan province to all participants in the Rot Nam Dam Hua ritual as a souvenir.
Also joining the ceremony on Thursday were Deputy PM and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy PM Somsak Thepsutin, Deputy PM and Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, Deputy PM and Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, and PM’s Office Minister Puangpetch Chunla-ead. - The Nation/ANN
