statuette to give concrete expression
to the idea and to provide an object
for continuing worship and reverence,
so that the Deva would protect the
Nation and assure its prosperity,
forever. Phra Sayam Thewathirat
is an 8-inch high standing Deva image
cast in gold, with the right hand holding
a sword, and the left hand raised to
the chest in a posture of blessing. The
statuette was first placed in the Song
Tham Throne Hall, where King
Rama IV as well as successive kings
after him would, by tradition, pay
homage and present offerings of food
and other worship
items daily. The
image has since been moved to the
Phaisan Thaksin Throne Hall and
set on a carved sandalwood base,
having a design of a swan and
dragon in front of a plaque with the
words “The Abode of Phra Sayam
Thewathirat” inscribed, where the
figure remains to this day.
At present, the ceremonial offer-
ings are performed twice a week, on
Tuesdays and Saturdays. It is an
ancient Thai belief that these two
days are auspicious for holding
ceremonies connected with all kinds
of arms. Phra Sayam Thewathirat
symbolizes a defensive weapon
protecting the Nation and the Royal
House of Chakri. An important
offering-ceremony is also held on
Thai New Year’s Day, or Songkran,
which is celebrated on 13 April.
Thus, the ceremonies are seen as a
symbolic enhancement of the power
and sacredness of the Deva.
In 1982, the year commemorating
the Bangkok Bicentennial as the
capital city. The image of Phra
Sayam Thewathirat was brought
out to the Dusit Throne Hall for
the people to view and pay homage
for the first time. Each time, the
courtyard of the Throne Hall overflows
daily with a constant stream of people
vying to be in the presence of one of
the most venerated images of the
land