King at investiture ceremony for new Supreme Patriarch

The Supreme Patriarch leaves the Temple of the Emerald Buddha for Wat 
Rajabophit after the investiture in a royal ceremony presided over by HM 
the King on Sunday.

• 12 Feb 2017  ONLINE REPORTERS Bangkok Post

The investiture of the new Supreme Patriarch took place 
at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha on Sunday in a royal 
ceremony presided over by His Majesty the King.

The monarch was at Wat Phra Kaew to chair the important 
event for the investiture of Somdet Phra Maha Muniwong to 
be the 20th supreme monk, with other temples across the 
country joining the celebration.

The King appointed the abbot of Wat Rajabopit as the new 
Supreme Patriarch on Tuesday after the amended Sangha 
Act was passed by the National Legislative Assembly on Dec 29.

The amendment gives the King the right to name the top monk, 
ending the power of the Supreme Sangha Council on the nomination.

His Majesty the King presided over the ceremony to formally install Somdet 
Phra Maha Muniwong, the abbot of Wat Ratchabophit, as the 20th Supreme 
Patriarch at the ubosot of Wat Phra Srirattana Sasadaram or the Temple of 
the Emerald Buddha on Sunday evening

On Friday, Somdet Phra Maha Muniwong, 90, accepted 
the invitation from Prime Minister's Office Minister Ormsin 
Chivapruck to attend the ceremony, and the event on Sunday 
completes the process of him taking over the position.

At the end of the event, the majestic bell hanging at the 
top of a high tower at the main chapel of Wat Phra Kaew 
rang for the new Supreme Patriarch. It is only rung during 
special royal ceremonies.

Other temples in the country also rang bells to celebrate 
the new Supreme Patriarch.