The coronation of Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) as king of Thailand took place on 4 May 2019 at the Grand Palace, Bangkok. He ascended the throne at the age of 64 upon the death of his father, Bhumibol Adulyadej, on 13 October 2016, accepting the accession invitation by Prem Tinsulanonda, president of the Privy Council, on 1 December 2016.Shawn W. Crispin, How stable is post-cremation Thailand?, Asia Times (December 6, 2017). The coronation was held within just three years after his accession to the throne in 2016 because of an appropriate length of time to pass after the death and funeral of Bhumibol Adulyadej and the arrangement of the ceremony after the last such rite having been held in 1950.
The ceremonies of coronation, the first ever to be aired on television, were aired in both Thai and English by the Television Pool of Thailand. In an historic move, the broadcasts were also aired online through the Youtube and Facebook channels of Thai PBS and NBT English, the first livestreamed coronation in Thai history that enabled millions around the world to watch the ceremonies live regardless of location.
Coronation arrangement 6 April The collection of water for use the ceremony took place on 6 April 2019, Chakri Day, in all 76 provinces and Bangkok. This event formally marked the official commencement of the preparatory activities to be held before the coronation day.
List of sacred water sources NameThai nameDistrictProvincePhuttha Utthayan Reservoirอ่างเก็บน้ำพุทธอุทยานMueang Amnat CharoenAmnat CharoenChao Phraya River, Wat Chaiyo Worawihanแม่น้ำเจ้าพระยา, วัดไชโยวรวิหารChaiyoAng ThongBueng Khong Long Wetlandพื้นที่ชุ่มน้ำบึงโขงหลงBueng Khong LongBueng KanSacred Well, Tham Phra Caveบ่อน้ำศักดิ์สิทธิ์ถ้ำพระSekaBueng KanSacred Pond, Wat Klangแหล่งน้ำศักดิ์สิทธิ์วัดกลางMueang BuriramBuriramPaknam Joloปากน้ำโจ้โล้Bang KhlaChachoengsaoChao Phraya River, Wat Thammamun Worawihanแม่น้ำเจ้าพระยา, วัดธรรมามูลวรวิหารMueang Chai NatChai NatSacred Well, Wat Pairee Pinatบ่อน้ำศักดิ์สิทธิ์วัดไพรีพินาศMueang ChaiyaphumChaiyaphumBo Nam Chi Phut Well, Chi Riverบ่อน้ำชีผุด แม่น้ำชีNong Bua DaengChaiyaphumSacred Well, Wat Plupบ่อน้ำชีผุด แม่น้ำชีMueang ChanthaburiChanthaburiNarayana Streamธารนารายณ์Mueang ChanthaburiChanthaburiSa Kaeo Pondสระแก้วTha MaiChanthaburiSacred Well, Wat Bupparam บ่อน้ำศักดิ์สิทธิ์ วัดบุพพารามMueang Chiang MaiChiang MaiAng Ka Luangอ่างกาหลวงChom ThongChiang MaiKhun Nam Mae Pingขุนน้ำแม่ปิงChiang DaoChiang MaiBo Nam Thip Well, Wat Phra That Doi Tungบ่อน้ำทิพย์, วัดพระมหาชินธาตุเจ้า (ดอยตุง)Mae SaiChiang RaiChao Khun Thao Pond, Wat Khao Phra Phutthabat Bang Saiสระเจ้าคุณเฒ่า, วัดเขาพระพุทธบาท บางทรายMueang ChonburiChonburiBo Nam Thip Well, Tham Khao Plu Caveบ่อน้ำทิพย์, ถ้ำเขาพลูPathioChumphonKud Nam Kinกุดน้ำกินMueang KalasinKalasinBo Samsaen Wellบ่อสามแสนMueang Kamphaeng PhetKamphaeng PhetSamprasob Riverแม่น้ำสามประสบSangkhla BuriKanchanaburiBaray, Wat Ku Prapha Chaiบาราย วัดกู่ประภาชัยNam PhongKhon KaenWang TewadaวังเทวดาMueang KrabiKrabiBo Camadevi Wellบ่อน้ำเลี้ยงพระนางจามเทวีMueang LampangLampangBo Nam Thip Well, Doi Khamoบ่อน้ำทิพย์ ดอยขะม้อMueang LamphunLamphunTham Piang Din Caveถ้ำเพียงดินMueang LoeiLoeiSacred Well, Wat Kawi Sararam Ratcha Worawihanบ่อน้ำศักดิ์สิทธิ์ วัดกวิศรารามราชวรวิหารMueang LopburiLopburiTham Pla–Namtok Pha Suea National Parkอุทยานแห่งชาติถ้ำปลา–น้ำตกผาเสื่อMueang Mae Hong SonMae Hong SonNong Nam Dun SwampหนองดูนNa DunMaha SarakhamKhamcha-i Waterfallน้ำตกศักดิ์สิทธิ์คำชะอีKhamcha-iMukdahanKhun Dan Prakarnchon Damเขื่อนขุนด่านปราการชลMueang Nakhon NayokNakhon NayokMuang Boran Dong Lakhon CityเมืองโบราณดงละครMueang Nakhon NayokNakhon NayokBueng Phra Achan Swampบึงพระอาจารย์Mueang Nakhon NayokNakhon NayokChandra Pond, Sanam Chandra Palaceสระน้ำจันทร์ พระราชวังสนามจันทร์Mueang Nakhon PathomNakhon PathomSa Murathapisek Pondสระน้ำมุรธาภิเษกThat PhanomNakhon PhanomLam Takong Water Source, Khao Yai National Parkต้นน้ำลำตะคอง อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาใหญ่Pak ChongNakhon RatchasimaBueng Boraphetบึงบอระเพ็ดMueang Nakhon SawanNakhon SawanSacred Well, Wat Na Phra Lanบ่อน้ำศักดิ์สิทธิ์ วัดหน้าพระลานMueang Nakhon Si ThammaratNakhon Si ThammaratSacred Well, Wat Sema Mueangบ่อน้ำศักดิ์สิทธิ์ วัดเสมาเมืองMueang Nakhon Si ThammaratNakhon Si ThammaratSacred Well, Wat Samao Chaiบ่อน้ำศักดิ์สิทธิ์ วัดเสมาไชยMueang Nakhon Si ThammaratNakhon Si ThammaratSacred Well, Wat Pratu Khaoบ่อน้ำศักดิ์สิทธิ์ วัดประตูขาวMueang Nakhon Si ThammaratNakhon Si ThammaratSacred Well, Huai Khao Mahachaiบ่อน้ำศักดิ์สิทธิ์ ห้วยเขามหาชัยMueang Nakhon Si ThammaratNakhon Si ThammaratSacred Well, Huai Pak Nakkharatบ่อน้ำศักดิ์สิทธิ์ ห้วยปากนาคราชLan SakaNakhon Si ThammaratBo Nam Thip Well, Wat Suan Tanบ่อน้ำทิพย์ วัดสวนตาลMueang NanNanKhlong Nam Bang Canalคลองน้ำแบ่งSu-ngai PadiNarathiwatSacred Well, Wat Si Khun Muangบ่อน้ำศักดิ์สิทธิ์ วัดศรีคูณเมืองMueang Nong Bua LamphuNong Bua LamphuSa Mucalinda Pondสระมุจลินท์Mueang Nong KhaiNong KhaiChao Phraya River, The Monument of King Nangklao (Rama III), Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat Worawihanแม่น้ำเจ้าพระยา เบื้องหน้าพระบรมราชานุสาวรีย์พระบาทสมเด็จพระนั่งเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว วัดเฉลิมพระเกียรติวรวิหารMueang NonthaburiNonthaburiChao Phraya River, Wat San Chaoแม่น้ำเจ้าพระยา บริเวณหน้าวัดศาลเจ้าMueang Pathum ThaniPathum ThaniSa Wang Plai Bua PondสระวังพรายบัวNong ChikPattaniBo Thong Wellบ่อทองNong ChikPattaniBo Chai Wellบ่อไชยNong ChikPattaniBo Reu Si Wellบ่อฤษีNong ChikPattaniSacred Well, Tham Nam Phud Caveบ่อน้ำศักดิ์สิทธิ์ ถ้ำน้ำผุดMueang Phang NgaPhang NgaChai Buri Caveถ้ำน้ำบนหุบเขาชัยบุรีMueang PhatthalungPhatthalungSacred Pond, Wat Don Salaสระน้ำศักดิ์สิทธิ์ วัดดอนศาลาBan LatPhatthalungSacred Well, Phra Bharomathat Khean Bang Kaewบ่อน้ำศักดิ์สิทธิ์ พระบรมธาตุเขียนบางแก้วKhao ChaisonPhatthalungWat Tha Chaisiriวัดท่าไชยศิริBan LatPhetchaburi
8 to 9 April Buddhist monks in major temples consecrated the water collected in their respective provinces.
10 to 11 April The collected waters from the provincial temples were officially transported to the Ministry of Interior Building in Bangkok by their respective provincial governors or their representatives.
12 April At 13:00 (UTC+07:00), the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration transferred the holy water obtained from The Sattrakhom Hall in the Grand Palace to the Ministry of Interior Building.
18 April At 17:19 (UTC+07:00), all the holy water was taken in a procession from the Ministry of Interior Building to Wat Suthat for another consecration.
19 April At 7:30 (UTC+07:00), the holy water was taken in a procession to Wat Phra Kaew, where it was kept until coronation day.
22 April At 16:00 (UTC+07:00), ten monks who are abbots from several Thai Buddhist temples chanted prayers at Wat Phra Kaew to bless the ceremony and the Royal Plaques.
23 April At 9:25 (UTC+07:00), A ceremony was held at the ubosot of Wat Phra Kaew to record the king's horoscope and the official titles of the king and his family on the Royal Golden Plaques and to engrave the Royal Seal of State. Following the ceremony the Court Brahmins of the Devasathan Temple, led by the Chief Brahmin of the Royal Family of Thailand, blessed the plaques and the Seal.
The Royal Horoscope was engraved by the court astrologer Chatchai Pinngern, who was present during the ceremony.
29 April Tree plantings of yellow star trees, considered royal trees by the king, were conducted nationwide in every forest and national park in all 76 provinces.
1 May In a ceremony at the Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall the king officially married Gen Suthida Tidjai and officially designated her as Queen of Thailand. The ceremony was held with Princess Sirindhorn, the Princess Royal, and the President of Privy Council Prem Tinsulanonda as witnesses.
Royal coronation 2 May At 16:09 (UTC+07:00), the King, Queen Suthida and Princess Bajrakitiyabha paid homage to the Equestrian statue of King Chulalongkorn and the Memorial of Rama I . He also paid respect to sacred icons placed at both the Phaisan Thaksin Throne Hall and Chakraphat Phimarn Royal Residence.
Nationwide, mass Buddhist monastic ordinations in honor of the coronation were organized by the National Office of Buddhism and the Sangha Supreme Council (Mahāthera Samāgama) in all 76 provinces together with their respective provincial and local governments, with 6,810 receiving their holy orders of monkhood, including personnel of the civil services, the armed forces and police.
3 May
At 10:00 (UTC+07:00), The Royal Golden Plaques and the Royal Seal of State were transferred from Wat Phra Kaew to Phaisan Thaksin Throne Hall (Phra Thinang Phaisan Thaksin) in procession, and they were placed into the hall by the Lord Chamberlain of the Chakri dynasty, Air Chief Marshal (ret) Satitpong Sukvimol, RTAF. The Weapons of Sovereignty were earlier transferred from the Temple to a special table in the hall.
In the late afternoon, Buddhist monks assembled for the benediction vigil chanted the traditional Paritta Suttas for the coronation and laid a protective thread around the buildings of the Phra Maha Monthien group within the wider Grand Palace complex as a precaution against evil spirits, preceded by a candle lighting ceremony and then, following the recitation of the Five precepts, by the lighting by Supreme Patriarch Ariyavongsagatanana (Amborn Ambaro) in the Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall (Phra Thinang Amarin Winitchai Mahaisuraya Phiman) of the Victory Candle (Candle of Victory, เทียนชัย) in the presence of the king, signifying the official commencement of the ceremony.
Following this, a senior monk formally declared the official commencement of the coronation ceremonies in both Pali and Thai (the sacred languages of the Buddhist religion in Thailand). 35 monks were stationed at the Phaisan Thaksin Throne Hall, where the soon to be crowned King was present as the presider of the vigil service, with another 5 being assigned to the Chakraphat Phimarn Royal Residence (Phra Thinang Chakraphat Phiman).
After the chanting the Chief Brahmin gave the King the leaves of certain trees, such as the Aegle marmelos, that were esteemed in ancient times for their supposed medicinal and purifying values, which, following being dipped in holy water, were brushed by him on the head and hair to symbolise purification and gave them back later to the Chief Brahmin before being burned. These leaves were earlier dipped by the Court Brahmin from the Devasathan Temple as part of a Hindu ceremony called the homa (sacrifices to fire).
After the monks departed, the king then gave offerings of flowers, each to the Hindu deities in Devasathan, to the sacred white royal nine-tiered umbrellas (five dotted around the various palaces), and to the images of the guardian spirits of the capital city at the city shrine, preceded by a second candle lighting rite paying respect to sacred Buddha images and guardians of the holy thrones in the palace. After this senior government officials took their places with persons of royal descent and the Court Brahmin around the Octagonal Throne where a ceremony was held to bless the throne.
Preceding the vigil, the king made a short visit to Wat Phra Kaew.
4 May
At 10:09 (UTC+07:00), the Royal Purification, or the Song Muratha Bhisek Ceremony, took place at the Chakraphat Phimarn Royal Residence (Phra Thinang Chakraphat Phiman), in the presence of the Supreme Patriarch and the Chief Brahmin, preceded by the reading of the Five Precepts.