Thai Buddhists flock to Wat Ratchabophit to pay respects to new Supreme Patriarch

BANGKOK, Feb. 13 (TNA) – Throngs of Thai Buddhists traveled to Wat Ratchabophit in capital Bangkok on Monday in order to pay respects to the newly-appointed 20th Supreme Patriarch. Somdet Phra Maha Muneewong, the temple’s abbot, was appointed by His Majesty the King to succeed His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, who passed away in 2013 at the age of 100. The investiture ceremony, chaired by the king, took place at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha late Sunday. Strong crowds have filled the temple since it was open for the public to visit the Supreme Patriarch this morning. Some of them reportedly arrived as early as 4 am. Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva also led members of the Democrat Party to visit the top monk on Monday. Between Feb 13 and 15, the public is allowed to pay homage to the new Supreme Patriarch at the temple’s chapel from 9 to 10.30am in the mornings and from 2 to 4pm in the afternoons. Visitors will receive a commemorative coin adorned with the Supreme Patriarch’s royal emblem, “Aor Aor Por”. There are 10,000 coins available for the first day. (TNA)