FEB 24 MERIT-MAKING

Sonthi hopes event will keepbad luck at bay

WASSANA NANUAM

A nationwide merit-making ceremony to lighten the public mood dampened by New Year bombings and ongoing political uncertainty has been scheduled for February 24, army officials said yesterday. The government-sponsored ceremony is aimed at avoiding a further dampening of spirits across the country over the coming months.

A source said Council for National Security (CNS) chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin came up with the idea to hold the nationwide events after he met several fortune-tellers, who made gloomy forecasts about the country's situation.

Army secretary Veeran Chanthasartkosol said Somdej Phra Phutthajarn, the abbot of Wat Sa Ket temple, set the date for the occasion after Gen Sonthi sought the senior monk's advice on the multi-faith ceremony.

Maj-Gen Veeran said that the CNS had asked the government to play host to the event.

The government will submit a letter seeking His Majesty the King's permission to use the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and asking the King to preside over the ceremony, he said.

However, he said that the CNS expects that the King will assign a royal representative to attend the ceremony on his behalf.

General News
Bangkok Post
Saturday January 27, 2007