Kingdom prays for HM's quick recovery
Thousands of loyal citizens gather at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha yesterday to pray for His Majesty the King’s good health, ahead of his minor surgery today.
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People across the nation are praying for the quick recovery of His Majesty the King, who is scheduled to undergo micro-surgical decompression at Siriraj Hospital today to alleviate the effects of lumbar spinal stenosis.
Many people went to the hospital yesterday to wish His Majesty good health. "I pray that His Majesty will enjoy safe surgery," said 72-year-old Yupin Penjard, who bought a flower garland and prayed at the statue of the late HRH Princess Sri Naga-rindra, the Princess Mother. In Nakhon Ratchasima, residents clad in yellow shirts went to the revered statue of Thao Suranaree with offerings such as pig's heads, coconuts, pineapples and colourful rayon cloth to pray for the good health of His Majesty. "Please bless His Majesty with good health and a long, long life … Please protect His Majesty," said Rassamee Kulphoklang, 71, as she prayed. Provincial Governor Somboon Ngarmlak joined local government officials and other well-wishers lining up to sign get-well messages to the King. From the southern province of Pattani to Chiang Mai in the North, local officials and people signed get-well messages for His Majesty. In the northeastern province of Buri Ram, residents in a government-sponsored home for the elderly quietly prayed for the King's quick recovery. Similar activities were taking place across the country. At 5pm today, temples in every province were scheduled to simultaneously hold prayer rituals to bless His Majesty with good health. Christian and Muslim priests are also conducting religious rites for His Majesty's health. Members of the public are welcome to sign get-well messages for His Majesty at Siriraj Hospital's Centennial Pavilion between 8.30am and 8pm from tomorrow onward. HRH Princess Chulabhorn Valayalaksana yesterday visited Siriraj Hospital to inspect the facilities where His Majesty will receive treatment. Prof Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn, dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital, said the facilities were fully ready. He said all the hospital staff would wear yellow today in honour of His Majesty. His Majesty was born on Monday, which is associated with yellow. Matichon newspaper quoted MC Phisadej Ratchanee, chairwoman of the Royal Projects Foundation, as saying the treatment procedure provided for His Majesty was safe. Metropolitan Police commissioner Lt-General Viroj Chanta-rangi said his unit would station 3,000 officers, both in plainclothes and uniform, around the hospital. Ramkhamhaeng University will today provide books for well-wishers to sign get-well messages for His Majesty. The books will be open to the public until Wednesday. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, meanwhile, is hoping to provide similar books at its headquarters and all of its 50 district offices from tomorrow. "So many people have called us asking whether we have prepared the books. So, we have asked the Royal Household Bureau for permission and are waiting for approval," Deputy Bangkok Gover-nor Puttipong Punnakan said.
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