Buddhist monks enjoy the highest status in the Thai social hierarchy. In religious
ceremonies, even the King and Queen themselves have to Wai, i.e. to pay respect to the
monks. Boy who is ordained acquires a monkhood status; and in that position his parent
and all other villagers have to wai or pay respect to him too. The Sangha organization is
separated from that of the state. The King, as head of the state, appoints the Sangharacha,
the Supreme Patriarch of the sangha. The King’s legitimacy has been, in turn, approved
through the rituals performed by the sangha during the Coronation Day. According to the
constitution, the King is supposed to be protector of Buddhism. He must be a devout
Buddhist.