The celebration to bring Thais together to make merit and receive a blessing before the start of the new year was given more importance this time because of the passing of the country’s much-loved monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, just over two months ago.

Sanam Luang and other sites held special cross-year prayers under the banner “Sang Thien Haeng Siam” (“Candlelight of Siam”), which also entailed a candle-lighting ceremony held at nine minutes past midnight in dedication to the Kingdom, Buddhism and the Thai monarchy.

Many border provinces such as Tak, Nong Khai and Ranong organised Asean cross-year prayers for Thais and people living in neighbouring countries to make merit together.

Thais who practice non-Buddhist faiths hosted auspicious events to cross into the New Year.

In downtown Bangkok, there was a grand procession to worship the eight Brahmin gods whose statues were taken from different business establishments in Ratchaprasong intersection area to be placed

temporarily at the CentralWorld shopping mall for worshippers last night.

This was part of the “Om Sadudee Dae Kasatriyathirat” (“Praise to the King”) event being held at Central World, which continued yesterday.

The 6,600-square-metre plaza, famed for its New Year countdown every year, hosted the celebration via four zones.

They included the “Phra Boribal” zone, which featured a stage for musical performances of King Bhumibol-composed songs by the Chalermraj Band and the Fong Naam Band, and a zone featuring a “social tree” electronic screen display where people wrote messages of praise to King Bhumibol. The messages will be stored at the National Archives of Thailand.

The Brahmin god procession was featured at the other zone, “Eight Deities of Ratchaprasong”.

To get blessings for 2017, peo-ple can travel to worship 10 of the sacred ancient Buddha images at the National Museum’s Phutthaisawan Throne Hall.

They can do that on a daily basis from 9am-4pm until January 31.