Sacred water, contained in 86 Kontho traditional Thai-style vases, were this morning moved from Wat Suthat Thepwararam to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in the Grand Palace for safe keeping after a consecration ceremony at Wat Suthat Thepwararam yesterday, jointly chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and the Supreme Patriarch.

Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda led senior interior officials and governors from 77 provinces, including Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang, in a ceremonial procession. The vases were placed on an elaborately decorated float which formed part of the procession featuring brass bands from the Royal Thai Navy and the Royal Thai Army.

The procession moved from Wat Suthat Thepwararam along Dinsor Road into the Rajdamnoen Klang and Rajdamnoen Nai Roads toward the Grand Palace.  It stopped in front of the Swasdisopha gate to allow the interior minister and the others to pay respects before a huge portrait of the late King Bhumibul Adulyadej. Then, each Kontho was hand-carried into the Temple of the Emerald Buddha to be kept at the ubosot until May 4^th, when the water will be used in the purification bathing rite or Song Phra Muratha Bhisek in which HM the King will bathed in sacred water during the Coronation Ceremony.