Anutin led the cabinet in a merit-making ceremony for Newin's 68th birthday, adjusting the event to a private setting while donations for Buriram Hospital's medical equipment purchase exceeded 6 million baht due to public contributions.
On 4 Oct 2026 GMT+7, reporters reported that after Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, along with the cabinet, arrived in Buriram province to chair the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command meeting at the Buriram Provincial Hall conference room at 09:00 to monitor flood situations and urge relevant agencies to expedite assistance for affected residents.
At approximately 11:30, Anutin and his delegation proceeded to Chang Arena in Mueang Buriram district to participate in a merit-making ceremony marking the 68th birthday of Newin Chidchob, chairman of Buriram United Football Club, whose birthday falls on 4 Oct 2026.
This year, Newin's birthday celebration format was adjusted from previous years to a merit-making and family-only event due to ongoing floods in several areas. The event suspended receiving flowers and gifts, instead inviting attendees to donate funds toward Buriram Hospital.
The atmosphere at Buriram Castle was simple, with media required to remain outside, as ceremonies held within the Siwa 12 garden and the replica of Phanom Rung Stone Castle did not permit media photography.
Notably, the "Pakam Chang" elephant ritual, a long-standing tradition of the Chidchob family, was held privately this year without media allowed to record the event as in previous years. Meanwhile, areas around the venue were arranged to accommodate guests and media at Buriram Castle plaza.
Simultaneously, Buriram Hospital set up donation tables to collect funds for purchasing medical equipment and tools to improve patient care, in line with Newin’s appeal to replace birthday gifts with contributions to the hospital.
Around 12:30, Newin Chidchob, wearing a "Kon Buriram" shirt, arrived at Buriram Castle plaza to pay respects to the Phra Jatukam Ramathep statue, followed by children singing birthday songs amid a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Newin expressed gratitude to attendees, saying on his birthday he thanked everyone involved in developing Buriram Hospital’s capacity to care for locals and Thai citizens, including acquiring modern medical equipment to improve public health.
He also thanked everyone for their well-wishes, hoping those blessings would protect all, bring prosperity, good health, and fulfillment of wishes, and urged everyone to help care for the country and maintain its stability.
Reporters noted that by 13:00, the total donations for medical equipment purchases at Buriram Hospital had exceeded 6 million baht, with many citizens and donors contributing on Newin’s birthday.
