Early in the morning of February 27, 1958, around 6.30 a.m., Their Majesties the King and Queen went to Chitralada train station. After addressing some of the well-wishers who came to see them off, the king said goodbye to H.R.H. Princess Galayani Vadhana, the royal sister, other members of the royal family, the Prime Minister and his deputy as well as other government officials and a great number of the Thai subjects.
At 6.45 a.m., Their Majesties the King and Queen rode on the train passing through Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Nakhon Sawan, Phichit and Pitsanulok. The following day (February 28) Their Majesties rode in a royal motorcade from the royal residence to Sukhothai. On March 2, Their Majesties went further to Tak Province and stayed overnight at Bhumibol Dam. On March 4 at 8.00 a.m., they went by car to Thoen District in Lampang Province. At the Welcome Gate at the Tak-Lampang border, Their Majesties were greeted by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior, who asked their permission to introduce them to Khun Ratwathiwichan, the Governor of Lampang Province together with the Commander of the Provincial Police Region 5. After that, Their Majesties went to look at Ban Tha Nang School where the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior brought the Thoen District Officer to meet Their Majesties and ask the royal permission for him and other government officials and the people to be granted an audience with Their Majesties.
At 10.30 a.m., Their Majesties left the school and went by car to Li District Office, Lamphun Provicne. At the Welcome Gate of Lampang-Lamphun border, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior asked the royal permission to bring Mr. Suchit Sombatsiri, Governor of Lamphun, and the Commander of the Lamphun Provincial Police to introduce to Their Majesties to lead Their Majesties to the Li District Office where the District Officer of Li and other government officials and people were granted an audience with Their Majesties. After that, Their Majesties took the time to have lunch there.
At 2.00 p.m., Their Majesties went by car to Ban Hong District Office where the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior brought the District Officer of Ban Hong to ask permission for Their Majesties to grant an audience with the government official and the people.
At 4.00 p.m., Their Majesties went by car to Pa Sang District Office where the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior brought the District Officer of Pa Sang to ask Their Majesties to grant an audience with the government officials and the people. Their Majesties had tea at the office before leaving for Chiang Mai Province at 5.30 p.m. where Their Majesties stayed overnight.
On Friday, March 7, 1958, at 9.00 a.m. Their Majesties went to the Welcome Gate of Chiang Mai-Lamphun in a royal motorcade, where Mr. Suchit Sombatsiri, Governor of Lamphun, came to greet Their Majesties and present His Majesty the King the Ratsattra Sword of Lamphun Province. Then, Their Majesties journeyed onward to Wat Phra That Haripunchai where the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior presented the wife of the Governor of Lamphun, the Chief Justice of Lamphun Provincial Court, Chao Phongthada, Member of the Parliament representing Lamphun Province, and the Mayor of Lamphun and his wife. Then, Their Majesties entered the wihan and lit the candle and incense sticks before presenting the monks robes and shoulder bags to 10 monks, who went outside the wihan and came back to their seats after putting on the robes and started chanting a prayer. After that His Majesty the King presented food to the monks and when the monks finished their lunch, Their Majesties went through the back door of the wihan to the open ground of the chedi to sprinkle water supposedly on the relic fragments of the Lord Buddha when His Majesty the King granted a piece of thin pink cloth to the Governor of Lamphun to wrap around part of the chedi like a scarf or blanket. Their Majesties presented flowers and candles as well as incense sticks, a gold and silver tree to pay respect to the chedi. His Majesty the King gave a string of firecrackers to the governor to light up to pay respect to the Buddha and had the officials do the light waving ritual (berkwaenwianthian). Their Majesties returned to the wihan to present four requisites to the monks and other offerings which the monks agreed to and rejoiced for him and gave a blessing. Then, Their Majesties left to go to the City Hall of Lamphun to have lunch.
The dress code for the royal religious ceremony of the celebration festival of Phra That Haripunchai was the regular official white uniform decked with the respective royal decorations.
At 2.30 p.m., Their Majesties appeared at the front balcony of the City Hall and the Governor of Lamphun asked permission to present to them the government officials accompanied by their wives as well as the people.
At 4.00 p.m. Their Majesties left the City Hall in a motorcade to go to Saraphi District Office in Chiang Mai Province.
Chiang Mai University, Funder
Naren Panyaphu, Advisor and expert
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