PM Srettha urges citizens to dress yellow on Mondays in homage to Thai King

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin ignited a national fervour, urging Thai citizens to pay homage to His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday.

Addressing the nation post-Tuesday’s Cabinet summit, the 61 year old Thai PM, clad in golden hues, disclosed plans for a weekly ritual.

“In jubilant celebration of His Majesty’s sixth-cycle milestone on July 28. I’ve directed civil servants to don yellow shirts bearing the illustrious sixth cycle insignia every Monday and on select occasions.”

In a sweeping gesture, he implored private sectors and the populace at large to embrace the iconic yellow garb, while advocating for state agencies to bedeck their edifices with corresponding flags.

Earlier proclamations from the government unveiled an array of grandiose festivities marking His Majesty’s 72nd birthday. These include a regal barge procession along the Chao Phraya River, culminating in the venerable kathin ritual, alongside a mass monk ordination dedicated to the royal birthday and the striking of commemorative coins, reported Bangkok Post.

Starting next week, revered relics of Lord Buddha and his esteemed disciples Sariputra and Moggallana will grace Thailand’s soil for veneration. Transported from India, these relics will be on public display at Sanam Luang, inviting reverence from 9am to 8pm, spanning February 22 to March 19. Subsequently, they’ll journey to Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani, and Krabi, ensuring homage from diverse regions before their eventual return to India.

In related news, in a heartening message marking the Lunar New Year, the Bangkok-born Srettha expressed optimism about the newly lifted visa requirements between Thailand and China, anticipating a significant boost in bilateral relations and travel.

During his well-wishing messages on Lunar New Year, PM Srettha conveyed his hopes that the lifting of visa requirements would foster increased interaction between Thailand and China. He expressed his confidence that this visa-free policy would streamline and expedite travel for both Thai and Chinese citizens. In his statement, he emphasised Thailand’s readiness to welcome Chinese visitors by already implementing various safety measures.