The ceremony took place at the sacred well of Wat Chaiyathararam (Wat Chalong). Presided over by Governor Sophon, the event was attended by heads of government agencies, officials, judiciary, military, police, state enterprise employees and local residents.
Governor Sophon led the ceremony, which began with a tribute to the portrait of His Majesty the King, followed by the opening of the ceremonial flower cone and the lighting of incense and candles. A Brahmin priest then performed an invocation to honour the deities guarding the sacred water source.
At the auspicious time of 2:49pm, the Governor ceremonially collected 21 scoops of holy water into a ceremonial vessel wrapped in white cloth and tied with a white ribbon. The sacred water was then transported in a procession to Wat Phra Thong in Thalang, where it will be consecrated in a ceremony at 5:09 pm on Sunday (July 7). A candlelight ceremony to honour the sacred water will follow on Monday (July 8), starting at midday.
Participants are requested to dress in full formal attire, with civil servants wearing their highest sashes without hats, and military and police officers in full dress uniforms with hats, swords and gloves. The general public is encouraged to wear yellow.
The sacred well at Wat Chalong was created by the second abbot, Phra Khru Wisutwongsajarnyanmuni (Luang Pho Chaem). The well, which has a square opening measuring 1.6 metres on each side and is about 4 metres deep, naturally produces clear water. It is believed to have healing properties and to bring good fortune to those who drink or sprinkle it on themselves. In 2011, water from this well was used in a ceremony to prepare holy water presented to King Bhumibol Adulyadej for his 7th cycle (84th) birthday, and in 2019, it was used for the anointment ceremony of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
Wat Chalong), established in 1837, is a significant tourist destination in Phuket, known for housing the revered statue of Luang Pho Chaem, a respected figure among Thai and Chinese Buddhists. Historical records mention the temple during a tumultuous period in 1767 when English merchants took refuge in Chalong Bay. Over the years, the temple became a spiritual refuge and a symbol of resistance against local uprisings.
Wat Phra Thong, established in 1785, is known for the legendary half-buried Buddha statue, known as ‘Phra Phut’, which is believed to have mystical origins. The temple has historical significance, with King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) naming it Wat Phra Thong during a visit in 1909 and King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great visiting the temple in 1959.
The Phuket Provincial Office, which is coordinating the sacred water ceremonies, invites all officials, business folk and residents to take part in the auspicious ceremonies.