Prime Minister Anutin revealed he paid respects to the Supreme Patriarch to seek blessings on New Year's Day. Meanwhile, General Prayut offered useful advice regarding border issues and urged patience.
At 13:00 on 5 January 2026 at the Ministry of Interior, Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, disclosed after paying respects to Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatayana, the Supreme Patriarch, on the occasion of New Year's Day 2026, that he had sought blessings for auspiciousness and wished the Supreme Patriarch good health to remain a pillar of strength for Buddhists for a long time.
When asked if the Supreme Patriarch gave any blessings, the Prime Minister said that he bestowed holy water on everyone, which is very auspicious, as even just paying respects and seeing him brings a sense of blessing.
Regarding his meeting with General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Privy Councilor, the Prime Minister said that the Privy Councilor had paid respects to the Supreme Patriarch before his own arrival, so he went to greet him and wish him a Happy New Year. General Prayut offered encouragement, and the Prime Minister briefly updated him on the country's situation because the Privy Councilor is concerned about the Thai-Cambodian border issues. They discussed useful approaches, with General Prayut urging patience and giving blessings.
When asked whether General Prayut also wished him success for the next term as Prime Minister, the Prime Minister smiled and laughed but did not answer the question.