Ranong: The Department of Religious Affairs organized a summer ordination project for novice monks at Suwannakiriwihan Temple, Ranong Province. Both Thai and Burmese men participated in the ordination, 83 monks during the school break.
According to Thai News Agency, 83 Thai and Thai-Burmese young men joined the Thai-Burmese unity ordination ceremony to pay homage to the city's sacred Phra Phuttha Setangkasila, in honor of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The event was held at Suwannakhiri Wihan Temple, Khao Niwet Subdistrict, Mueang Ranong District, Ranong Province. The Department of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Culture, and Ranong Province organized the summer novice ordination activity under the project to strengthen morality, values, and Thai identity. The event was attended by Phra Ratcha Ranangkwatchiramuni, the provincial ecclesiastical chief of Ranong; Mr. Chaipol Suk-iem, Director-General of the Department of Religious Affairs; Mr. Supot Phutikiatkhajorn, Governor of Ranong Province; novice monks, their parents, and Buddhists. The ceremony included a hair-cutting ceremony, a spirit-blessing ceremony, and a procession of the novice monks. The Thai and Thai-Burmese novices were dressed in traditional costumes and held their novice ordination ceremony respectively. In Thai society, Buddhists consider the ordination of novices to be a way of showing gratitude to parents and benefactors, which has been practiced for generations.
Mr. Chaiyapol Suk-iam, Director-General of the Department of Religious Affairs, said that the Sangha Supreme Council meeting resolved to allow temples in the Kingdom of Thailand that are ready to organize summer ordination and silajariniya ordination activities to honor Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on the occasion of her birthday on April 2, between March 2025 and May 2025. The Department of Religious Affairs has therefore organized the ordination of novice monks in 4 pilot provinces: the ordination of novice monks at Wat Mai Krong Thong in Prachin Buri Province, the ordination of elephant monks, the path of merit, supporting Thai-Lao relations at Wat Amphawan (Ban Hin Khon) in Buriram Province, the ordination of beautiful and graceful children, preserving the value of traditions at Wat Phra That Hariphunchai in Lamphun Province, and the ordination of Thai-Burmese unity. Pay homage to the city's twin Buddha Setangkasila at Suwannakiriwihan Temple, Ranong Province, on April 7, 2025, as th e final province. It is expected that children and youth from all over the country will join the event, totaling more than 100,000 people.
