KING BESTOWS 770,000 BLACK POLO SHIRTS TO VOLUNTEERS

>> His Majesty the King has bestowed 770,000 black polo shirts to volunteers working for the public across the country to mark his birthday anniversary on Friday.

Air Marshal Pakdee Saengchuto, deputy private secretary to the King, yesterday delivered the polo shirts to governors of 77 provinces on behalf of the King. Each province will receive 10,000 shirts.

The shirts are intended to be given to volunteers who will wear them when carrying out social activities for the public and national interest, creating unity among people in the country, according to officials.

The shirt handover was also intended to honour and make merit for the late King Bhumibol, who died on Oct 13 last year.

A message reading “Be in our hearts forever” is written on the shirt front. The back features a drawing by the King with messages reading “Bestow upon” and “Oct 13, 2016”, which was the date when the late king passed away.

The shirts will serve as a reminder of the royal grace of the late king, who contributed a lot to help ease grievances and boost happiness among the people as well as help draw in a better life for the people, officials said.

The King selected the fabric and designed the garments himself.

With concerns about the livelihood of people, the agencies serving the King will work with other state organisations to carry out volunteer activities to ease people’s problems, including tackling floods in communities and dealing with traffic congestion.

Meanwhile, Patcharaporn Intreyonk, deputy permanent secretary to the Office of the Prime Minister, said the government is prepared to hold a Buddhist chanting ceremony, gives alms and conduct merit-making dedicated to the late king. The administration will also organise the blessing ceremonies for the King and Queen and as part of the cerebration of the King’s birthday this Friday.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will attend five-religion ceremonies at Government House at 7am. He is also scheduled to attend the Buddhist chanting ceremony at the Royal Plaza at 6pm.

Chanting ceremonies will also be conducted at temples across the country as well as overseas.

People are asked to wear black outfits when attending the event, Ms Patcharaporn said. A total of 100,000 chanting books bestowed by the King, who also drew the design for the cover, will also be distributed.