Mass merit makings, prayers organised in honour of Thai King, Queen

BANGKOK, June 7 (TNA) - Mass merit makings and prayers will be organised by the Thai government and all religions across the country and all foreign countries where there are Buddhist Thai temples on June 9 in honour of Their Majesties the King and Queen. High-ranking government officials, led by Permanent Secretary for the Prime Minister's Office Police General Aek Angsananont, told a press conference on June 6 that Thursday's mass merit makings and prayers will be organised on the auspicious occasions of the 70th anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's accession to the throne and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit's 7th-cycle birthday anniversary on August 12. The senior officials said that in Bangkok, the government will organise a mass alms offering ceremony to celebrate the twin royally-auspicious occasions at the Grand Palace, chaired by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha and his wife and attended by Privy Councilors, Cabinet members, military and police leaders, permanent secretaries of ministries and government officials. Besides, 10 senior Buddhist monks, along with 770 other monks who have ordained to pay tribute to Their Majesties the King and Queen on the auspicious occasions will then chant prayers at the chapel of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha to bless Their Majesties the King and Queen. Similar Buddhist ceremonies will also be held at Buddhist temples nationwide and Buddhist Thai temples overseas, while institutions of all other religions will organise mass prayers in honour of Their Majesties the King and Queen as well. (TNA)