The Government has invited members of the public to join activities in celebration of the “Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua Attaining the Same Age as His Majesty King Buddha Yodfa Chulalok the Great (Rama I) 2025.”

King Rama I, the first monarch of the Royal House of Chakri, passed away on 7 September 1809 at the age of 72 years, six months and nine days, having lived for 26,469 days. His Majesty the King will reach 26,469 days of age on 14 January 2025, attaining the same age as King Rama I.

Considering that this milestone, known in Thai as “Sama Mongkhon,” is an important one, the Government has planned various activities to commemorate this special occasion, and members of the public have been invited to join the activities to show their loyalty and respect to the monarchy.

Their Majesties the King and Queen are scheduled to perform a royal merit-making ceremony to mark this occasion at Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall in the Grand Palace on 14 January. In this regard, the Bureau of the Royal Household announced that, on 14 January, the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha would be open to visitors from 08.00 to 12.00 hr.

Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office Chousak Sirinil said that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra would preside over an alms-giving ceremony and the chanting of prayers at the Sanam Luang ceremonial ground in Bangkok on 14 January 2025 at 07.30 hr. On the same day, she will also preside over a religious ceremony in dedication to His Majesty the King, to be held at Sanam Luang at 09.00 hr.

A long-life ceremony in the Lanna tradition and cultural shows will be performed at Wat Phra Chetuphon (Wat Pho) in Bangkok from 13 to 20 January. On 14 January at 18.00 hr, a khon masked drama performance will be staged at the King Rama I Monument in Bangkok. 

The Prime Minister is scheduled to preside over tree planting at the King Rama IX Memorial Park in Bangkok on 31 January at 17.00 hr. Volunteer work for public services will be carried out throughout the month of January.

Also, throughout the month of January, government offices, private companies, and members of the general public have been invited to arrange in their premises an altar with a portrait of King Rama I and another altar decorated with a portrait of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and floral offerings. 

The Royal Ceremonial Emblem commemorating this auspicious occasion was designed by the Fine Arts Department. In the emblem, the royal insignia of King Rama I and the His Majesty the King’s initials – the Thai letters Wo Po Ro – are placed at the center of the emblem, under the Great Crown of Victory (Phra Maha Phichai Mongkut).