Bangkok Bank presented the Royal Kathin in 2023 to Wat Kaeo Pichit, a royal monastery in Prachin Buri province, by organizing a grand procession joined by customers, employees, government agencies and local communities. This marks the 57th year of the Bank upholding this tradition to preserve Buddhist culture through a donation of 14,445,339.50 baht to restore the temple.
Bangkok Bank, led by Senior Executive Vice President Suvarn Thansathit, a lay chairman of the event, Senior Executive Vice President and Corporate Secretary Kobsak Pootrakul, Senior Executive Vice President Kukkong Ruckphaopunt, Executive Vice Presidents Pochanee Kongkalai and Sutthirat Pacheerat and Senior Vice President and Head of Security Management Assistant Kitti Kosavisutte, together with Bank management and staff, presented the Royal Kathin 2023 on behalf of the Bank. Phrakru Yuttikunakorn (Dr. Saiyut Khun Yutto), Consultant Chief of the Ecclesiastical District of Mueang Prachinburi-Ban Sang (Thammayut Sect), an abbot of Wat Kaeo Phichit, was the temple’s representative to receive the Royal Kathin robes.
Representatives of the government sector led by Prachin Buri Governor Narong Nakhonchinda, customers, local people and people from surrounding provinces also joined the ceremony.
With concerted effort from the Bank’s Board of Directors, executives, staff, customers and the general public, a donation of 14,445,339.50 baht was raised to be given to the temple. The Bank has started restoring the Ubosot since June 2023 for it to be in perfect condition to serve as a royal monastery for the Prachin Buri province.
Bangkok Bank was the first financial institution to be honored with the commission of taking the Royal Kathin to temples under royal patronage across Thailand and other temples in neighboring countries. The Bank began presenting the Royal Kathin in 1967 during the reign of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX) and 2023 was the 57th year of upholding this tradition to preserve Buddhist culture and traditions.
Wat Kaeo Phichit, a royal monastery, is an old and important temple of Prachin Buri province. Located on the right bank of the Bang Pakong River (Prachinburi River), it is the first Dhammayuttika Nikaya temple in Prachin Burin province. The temple was built around 1879 during the reign of King Chulalongkorn by Mrs. Pramoon Phoka (Kaew Prasangsit). Later, when Chaophraya Abhaibhubejhr (Chum Abhaiwong) gave up his position as governor of Battambang and moved to live in Prachin Buri province, he carried out restoration work including the construction of various religious sites in Wat Kaeo Phichit. He was the designer and construction director of the present Ubosot which is adorned with red and pink bricks, built and decorated with a harmonious blend of Thai, Chinese, Khmer and European architecture so it has remained unique and beautiful until now. Today, Wat Kaeo Phichit is considered a temple of the Abhaiwong family, having received HM the King's royal grace to raise its status to a third-class royal monastery of ordinary type, on June 29, 2008.
'Phra Rattana Suwan' is the Buddha image enshrined in the temple’s sermon hall. It is a gold-clad Buddha image from the early Rattanakosin period, in the posture of Maravichai, decorated with gems on the chest and on top of the head. It is 4 inches in width and 7 inches in height with a green enamel silver base. Legend has it that HM King Mongkut (King Rama IV), bestowed it on the Abhaiwong family when they served in government service in Battambang. Chaophraya Abhaibhubejhr (Chum Abhaiwong) brought it back when he moved to live in Prachin Buri province. Later, when Wat Kaeo Phichit was renovated, it was brought to be offered as the temple’s Buddha image to be worshiped by the people. Meanwhile, the main Buddha image of the Ubosot is Luang Por Abhaiwong (Luang Phor Abhai) in the posture of forgiveness.