Page 69 - The Royal Coronation Ceremony

The Crowning and Investiture Ceremony

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej Borommanathbobitra proceeded to another throne, called the Bhadrapitha
Throne, which is on the opposite side of the Baisal Daksin Throne Hall. This throne is under the Royal Nine-tiered
Umbrella, or the “Nophapadol Maha Saweta Chatra”. There, the chief Brahmin, Phra Ratcha Khru Vamadeb Muni,
chanted the prayer to pay homage to the Kailasa Heaven. He then presented the King with the Royal Golden Plaque or
“Phra Suphannabat,” upon which is inscribed the Royal Official Title of His Majesty the King. He also presented the Royal
Regalia, the Ancient and Auspicious Orders, the Royal Utensils, and the Weapons of Sovereignty.* After this moment,
His Majesty the King crowned himself with the Great Crown of Victory. It is the most important procedure in the Royal
Coronation Ceremony. However, what is considered the most important part of the ceremony may vary from one reign
to another, depending on differing conditions.

In the ancient times, the most important part of the whole ceremony was considered to be the Anointment
Ceremony. It denoted accession to power throughout the eight cardinal directions of the compass and by extension,
to reign over all regions of the land. At present, the Crowning is accepted as the highest ceremony, according to the
example set in the reign of His Majesty King Mongkut (Rama IV). Throughout the process of the Crowning, all monks
are chanting prayers of benediction, the official ensemble are blowing conch shells, beating drums, gongs and other
instruments and every temple bell in the area is ringing loudly.

After the Crowning and Investiture Ceremony at the Bhadrapitha Throne, the Brahmins offered blessings to
His Majesty the King, and the newly crowned King presented the First Royal Command in the Thai language.

In 1873, at the time of the Second Royal Coronation Ceremony of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn (Rama V),
His Majesty gave an instruction that the First Royal Command be spoken in the Bihari language too. From then on, it
was a tradition that the First Royal Command be issued in both the Thai and Bihari languages, and continued during
the reigns of King Rama V, King Rama VI and King Rama VII.

In the Royal Coronation Ceremony of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej Borommanathbobitra (Rama IX) the
practice was adjusted. After the Brahmins recited the prayer of benediction to His Majesty the King, the Chief Brahmin,
Phra Ratcha Khru Vamadeb Muni, recited his prayer of benediction in the Bihari language, after which he addressed
His Majesty in Thai. His Majesty responded by issuing his First Royal Command in Thai vowing to provide righteous
protection to the people of Thailand. The Chief Brahmin accepted the First Royal Command in the Bihari language,
followed by the Thai language. Next, His Majesty the King performed the gesture of pouring water as an offering to the
Goddess of the Earth to ratify his responsibility of ruling righteously over the Royal Kingdom.

*Appendix: page 145-156

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The Royal Coronation Ceremony