His Majesty the King has graciously granted royally-sponsored bathing rites for Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s late mother, whose funeral is being held at Wat Debsirindrawas Ratchaworawihan in Bangkok’s Pom Prap Sattru Phai district.
Srettha’s mother, Chodchoy Thavisin, died of natural causes on July 21. She was 95. However, since the premier was busy organising rites to mark His Majesty’s sixth-cycle birthday on July 28, he postponed his mother’s funeral rites to July 30 (Tuesday).
Praying rites will be held at 6.30pm daily until August 5.
His Majesty had Chittrapat Krairiksh, deputy director-general of the Department of His Majesty’s Principle Private Secretary, deliver bathing water and wreaths on Tuesday.
The royally-sponsored bathing rite was held at 5pm after the first one by relatives, Cabinet members and leading politicians was held at 4pm. Prayers were held at 6.30pm.
Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who arrived at 5.50pm, was among the VIP guests who attended the funeral.
Cabinet members who attended the funeral included Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow, Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, Social Development and Human Security Minister Varawut Silpa-archa, Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong, and Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Minister Supamas Isarabhakdi.
Other VIP guests included Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra, national police chief Pol General Torsak Sukvimol and Navy chief Admiral Adung Phan-iam.
Several Pheu Thai MPs, including Cholnan Srikaew, were also present.
Srettha is the only son of Chodchoy. His father, Amnuay Thavisin, died when Srettha was only three, so Chodchoy raised him on her own. It is believed that she did her job really well, as her son grew up to be a successful property developer before entering politics and becoming prime minister on August 22 last year.