Sacred water drawing ceremony led by Bangkok Governor

PHOTO: The grand parade was just part of the lead up ceremonies for the forthcoming Coronation of His Majesty – Thai PBS

Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang has led city officials in a ceremony to draw water from a pond at the Haw Sastrakhom, a small building inside the Grand Palace.

The ceremony is part of the lead up to the forthcoming royal Coronation of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn and was conducted yesterday.

The sacred water, regularly blessed by monks on holidays, was put into a white Kontho (special Thai vase) before being escorted to the Interior Ministry where it will be kept with the 76 Kontho containing blessed water from Thailand’s 76 provinces.

Governor Aswin, who hand-carried the Kontho, rode in a limousine, at the head of a procession of brass bands and city officials, from Haw Sastrakhom to the Interior Ministry via the Kalyanamaitri and Asdang roads.

Water will be drawn from the Chao Phya, Pasak, Bang Pakong, Ratchaburi and Phetchaburi Rivers and sanctified at Wat Suthat on April 18.

The following day, the holy water will be moved to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha to be used during the Coronation ceremony of His Majesty.

The Coronation takes place from May 4-6.

SOURCE: Thai PBS