Page 9 - The Coronation Ceremony

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Preliminary ceremonies

Preliminary ceremonies to the Primary Royal Coronation Ceremony started three days
before the auspicious day. The new sovereign would give alms to the monks in the morning,

then light a candle and pray while monks chant in the evening. Brahmanism rituals were
performed as a part of the ceremony. According to records from the reign of King Rama V, the

Brahmins would raise the Royal Seven-Tiered Umbrealla, Saptapadol Saweta Chatra, over the
Atha Disa and the Bhadrapitha Royal Thrones inside Baisal Daksin Throne Hall with oblations

or offerings to deities at various Brahman shrines in Bangkok. The Brahmin would offer sacred

ceremonial objects like the conch shell, a bael leaf to wear behind the ear, and Bai Samit
(bundles of three auspicious leaves of mamuang (mango), bai thong (gold leaves) and takhob

(Indian plum) to the new sovereign. The king symbolically brushes himself with the Bai Samit,

and the leaves are later burned by the chief Brahmin as part of the purifying ritual. King Rama
IX shortened the religious practice from three days to one evening before the day of the Royal

Coronation Ceremony.

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