A MAJOR merit-making ceremony will be held on a bridge named after HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej as a tribute to the late monarch on his 89th birthday, next Monday (Dec 5).

The ceremony is being organised by the Tourism Authority and will take place at Bhumibol Bridge, Deputy Prime Minister Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn said yesterday.

The bridge was opened by the late King and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at the same time as Ladpho Canal water-gate in 2010.

The event will welcome participants from the government and private sector, plus members of the public.

Songs composed by the King will be performed when the ceremony starts at 5am. Then, at 6.19am, participants will cordially sing the late King’s “The Impossible Dream” and release balloons in memory to the late, beloved monarch, Tanasak said.

Participants will then make offerings to 999 monks and write vows on postcards to commit good deeds in tribute to the late King. The postcards will be blessed in a prayer ceremony and returned to writers as fortuitous objects.

December 5 is also known as World Soil Day – to mark the late King’s efforts to develop soil. So, blessed soil from sacred temples will also be given away in memory of the late monarch.

Jazz songs at City Hall

Later, from 6pm in the evening, the Culture Ministry will organise live jazz performances of royal songs at the Khon Muang Plaza in front of Bangkok City Hall.

Meanwhile, a nationwide event dubbed “Candlelight of Siam” will be held as per government guidelines, to see in the New Year. At a quarter to midnight on December 31, loyal subjects will gather at Sanam Luang and temples countrywide to perform the “cross-year” prayer to bless Thailand and the Royal Family.

The royal composition, “New Year Greeting” will be played when the new year enters. Then, at 12.09 am, candles will be lit amid prayers in tribute to the Kingdom, the monarchy and all participants.

Tanasak said the Cabinet had yet to consider the official calendar for 2017. The dates of some holidays may be altered depending on the timing of certain events, but final results should be known before year’s end.