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Commemoration Days for Loved Ones in Thailand (15/09/2005)
Source: The Government Public Relations Department

Before the reign of King Chulalongkorn, Rama V, Thai people hardly celebrated their birthdays. A person’s day of birth was, in fact, a guarded secret, due to their belief that curses or some forms of harm could be made in one’s absence using the horoscope. It is, however, a different story for the dead, whose days of birth and death are commemorated as a normal practice from ancient times.

As in other cases, the royal court is the best place to observe the age-old tradition and practices since they are carried out systematically on a major scale. The commemoration days for royal ancestors of the Chakri Dynasty, however, were included in royal ceremonies only in the reign of King Mongkut, Rama IV, a true Buddhist scholar.

The day of birth seems to be of greater significance and is observed quite solemnly. It is again marked in the form of merit-making more than verbal forms of tribute-paying. The urns containing the ashes of the deceased are brought out in the ceremony, from the reign of King Rama IV, held in the Paisarntaksin Throne Hall, which is close to the Hall of the Royal Urns. The ceremony is considered a private affair of the royal family, and the occasions are marked quietly in the royal court.

The royal urn is placed on a special pedestalled tray and put on an altar, where the royal regalia are placed, complete with the royal offering made of flowers called khruang thong noi, specially used by His Majesty and members of the royal family in paying homage. Where many urns are involved, threads are used to tie them loosely together. Specific Buddha images for the deceased, known as the Buddha of the Day, are placed behind the urns.

Following the practice of King Rama IV, a chapter of 10 monks is invited to chant a special prayer at the ceremony. Royal offerings to the monks include a set of saffron robes and rolls of white linen. Different prayers are chanted in marking the days of birth and death. In the former case, a sermon by a senior monk follows the chanting of the prayer. Food is then offered to the monks. A bigger chapter of monks, numbering 200, then chant a regular prayer known as sadap pakon.

In the evening, another prayer is offered by the first chapter of 10 monks. It is called suat matuka, paying tribute to the deceased. After the prayer, an essential part of the ceremony is conducted, known as bang sukun , when the monks bless the offerings and dedicate them to the deceased.

The ceremony in a private home is carried out in the same manner, mostly on a lesser scale. It is also a family reunion. Observing the occasions in silence, with no verbal expressions of grief shown, the Thais remember their loved ones in true Buddhist tradition.