Eighty-six vases of water collected from every province in the kingdom and consecrated at a Bangkok temple last night were to be taken to Wat Phra Kaew today in preparation of His Majesty the King’s coronation next month.
Eighty-six attendants including state officials, provincial governors and Bangkok Gov. Aswin Kwanmuang carried the vases of water collected from 76 provinces to be consecrated at Wat Suthat Thepphawararam, home to the Giant Swing in the old quarter, according to a government announcement.
The ceremony took place between 5:19pm and 9:30pm – most dates and times are carefully chosen to be astrologically auspicious – and was presided over by the supreme Buddhist patriarch and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha.
Today they were transported to Wat Phra Kaew, aka the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, located at the Grand Palace.
Consecration of water deemed sacred is a centuries-old coronation rite. It will be used in the coronation to take place May 4 – 6.
