A Lanna merit ceremony celebrating Nalinee Rattanawadee's 60th birthday gathered 69 senior monks chanting Buddhist scriptures to enhance auspiciousness, reflecting the value of gratitude.
On 15 July 2026, reports highlighted a notable merit event attracting attention from social and business circles. On 8 July 2026, Sarid Rattanawadee organized a merit-making ceremony to mark his mother Nalinee Rattanawadee's 60th birthday at Stonehill Golf Course in Pathum Thani Province.
He invited 69 monks of high ecclesiastical rank to conduct Buddhist chanting and a traditional Lanna merit ceremony before offering lunch alms. The event was filled with auspicious energy, attended by family members, relatives, honored guests, and executives and staff from various organizations who joined in congratulating.
The ceremony was graciously blessed by senior monastic leaders chanting and giving their blessings, including Somdet Phra Maha Wirawong from Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram Ratchaworawihan, Somdet Phra Maha Wachiramonivong from Wat Phra Sri Mahathat Voramahavihara, Phra Promsit from Wat Sra Ket Ratchaworamahawihan, Phra Promwatcharawimolmuni from Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit Ratchaworamahavihara, and Phra Promwachiramethaporn from Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram Ratchaworawihan, along with other royal monastics and senior monks.
During the ceremony, Phra Thammavachirodom, abbot of Wat Sangwet Wisayaram Worawihan, presided over the chanting in the Kam Mueang dialect together with monks of high rank from eight temples. Meanwhile, Phra Ratchawachiratham Sunthon, abbot of Wat Suntornthamnan (Wat Khae Nang Loeng), kindly served as advisor on the ceremony sequence and ritual objects to ensure full adherence to Lanna traditions.
The merit ceremony marking the 60th year reflects the deep value of filial gratitude from child to mother through this auspicious ritual, a cultural wisdom of Lanna. It involves prayers for auspiciousness, longevity, good health, prosperity, and happiness. It also continues Thai customs traditionally observed at ages 60, 72, and 84.
Later, on 12 July 2026, Saratch Rattanawadee, CEO of Gulf Development Public Company Limited, held a merit-making ceremony for his 61st birthday at the Somdet Phra Sangharaja royal residence at Wat Sra Ket Ratchaworamahawihan. Senior monks from Wat Sra Ket were invited to chant and receive alms, with Phra Promsit, abbot of Wat Sra Ket, presiding. The event was simple and warm within the family, following their earlier large merit ceremony together.
On this occasion, Saratch respectfully informed Phra Promsit of the family’s wish to request royal Kathin robes to offer at Wat Sra Ket Ratchaworamahawihan in 2026, to continuously support and maintain the temple.
This intention reflects the Rattanawadee family’s long-standing connection to Wat Sra Ket, including Sarid Rattanawadee’s ordination and study of Buddhist scriptures there for about a year, regular participation in Buddhist activities, and sponsorship of a 41 million baht renovation project for the monastic school at Wat Sra Ket last year. All demonstrate their ongoing commitment to sustaining Buddhism and supporting the temple’s affairs.