Phetchaburi: Authorities are ramping up efforts to improve the landscaping along the part of the Phetchaburi River where water will be collected to be used in His Majesty the King's coronation.
Phetchaburi governor Kobchai Boonarana said on Thursday the water will be collected from the river at Wat Tha Chai Sri in Ban Lat district on April 6 at an auspicious time between 11.52 am and 12.38 pm.
The water blessing ceremony will be conducted from 5.10am until 10pm on April 8 at Wat Mahathat Worawihan in Muang district, the governor said. A procession will also be held to ferry water from the site where water is collected to Wat Mahathat Worawihan.
A candlelight procession will be organised at noon on April 9 and provincial authorities will bring water pots from Phetchaburi to the Interior Ministry between April 10 and 11. According to the governor, officials are working to improve the landscape on both sides of the river in preparation for the water collection ceremony.
Authorities check water quality at the site every day to ensure good water will be delivered to the Interior Ministry, he said. The water will be used in the royal purification bath ceremony. It will be collected from five major rivers the Pasak, Chao Phraya, Bang Pakong, Ratchaburi and Phetchaburi -- as well as four large sacred lakes in Suphan Buri.
Water will also be collected from another 108 sources across the country. This water will be used in the royal anointment ceremony which will take place after the royal purification bath ceremony. In the royal anointment ceremony, the prime minister, the parliamentary president and members of the royal family will pour the water of anointment onto the King's hands.
Permanent secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister, Patcharaporn Intreyonk, said on Thursday the government has sought the royal permit to organise the Gala Reception to mark the King's birthday in late July.
This would be a special event as it follows the coronation ceremony, which will be held early May.
