Supreme Patriarch to lead vigil for King Rama IX

King Rama IX passed away at the age of 89 at 3.52pm on October 13 last year. 
On October 13 this year, Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana, the Supreme Patriarch, will deliver religious sermons and lead meditation at Siriraj Hospital between 3pm and 4.15pm as part of the commemorative event. 
Later that night, he will also be the first to light a candle that will spread light across the venue for a vigil in remembrance of the much-revered King. 
These activities will be part of the commemorative event Mahidol University Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital has planned for the late monarch. 
King Rama IX spent much of his final years at Siriraj Hospital, with Thais from across the country flocking there to sign messages for him. King Rama IX, one of the greatest Thai monarchs, also passed away at the hospital. 

“Our commemorative event will start from 5.30am on October 13 and conclude at a quarter past midnight,” Dr Prasit Watanapa, the dean of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, said yesterday. 
Several organisations, including the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), will support the commemoration. 
The event will start at 5.30am at the RTN headquarters, from where 199 monks will walk towards Siriraj Hospital, collecting alms along the way. A portion of the alms will be given to schools run by border patrol police. 
At 9am, Privy Councillor Kasem Wattanachai will deliver a lecture on the roles performed by King Rama IX and King Rama X on Thailand’s education. 
Kasem, a former education minister, served as a privy councillor in both reigns. 
King Rama X is the only son of King Rama IX, who reigned over Thailand for seven decades until his passing last year. 
The Chaipattana Foundation’s secretary-general, Dr Sumet Tantivejkul, a close aide of the late King, will deliver a special lecture on King Rama IX’s huge contributions to the country. 
The Culture Ministry will join this commemorative event with a Mahajanaka performance. During his life, King Rama IX penned the “Story of Mahajanaka” based on a religious story of a past life of the Lord Buddha. 
The event on October 13, which will also include various other activities designed to pay tribute to King Rama IX, will be broadcast live on ThaiPBS.