Worship and ceremonies[edit]
Monument with insignia of King Rama IX within Wat Phra Kaew showing the Octagonal Throne with a chakra with Thai numeral 9 inside and a seven-tiered Umbrella of State
Early in the Bangkok period, the Emerald Buddha used to be taken out of its temple and paraded in the streets to relieve the city and countryside of various calamities (such as plague and cholera). However, this practice was discontinued during Rama IV's reign as it was feared that the image could get damaged during the procession and also a practical line of thinking that Rama IV held "that diseases are caused by germs, not by evil spirits or the displeasure of the Buddha". The image also marks the changing of the seasons in Thailand, with the king presiding over the seasonal ceremonies.