Monarchy done right

Thailand's Prime Minister (center) and other cabinet members are received by the new sovereign, King Rama X. By royal concession former Prime Minister and current President of the Privy Council, Prem Tinsulanonda was permitted to make his obedience while seated in consideration of his age (96).

Places I don't see myself moving to...

Thailand has just been removed from my list of possible expatriation destinations. I couldn't even watch the whole thing. I stopped after they got to the bed.

Russian Orthodox monastery is consecrated in Thailand

Moscow, February 18, Interfax - The ceremony of minor consecration of the Holy Assumption Monastery and its civil opening was held in the Ratchaburi province, Thailand.

The monastery and its church were consecrated by the Russian Orthodox Church representative in Thailand Archimandrite Oleg (Cherepanin). In attendance were Orthodox priests, the officials of the Russian embassy, Thai authorities, Protestant and Catholic communities of the country, and multiple pilgrims, the official website of the Moscow Patriarchate reports Friday.

"The Orthodox history in Thailand cannot be viewed separately from the Russian Orthodox Church. Now we can evidence the appreciation of and respect to religious and cultural traditions of Thailand shown by Orthodox clergy in their activities," the secretary of the Parliament Defense Committee Akachai Chintoza said at the ceremony.

He called Father Oleg "a big friend of Thailand" and presented him with a large diamond cross specially made for this occasion as a sign of recognizing his merits to the Thai people.

The construction of Holy Assumption Monastery started in November, 2009 when the Orthodox Church Fund in Thailand purchased the land of 9,000 square meters to construct the church and the Orthodox cemetery.

Currently, the monastery includes a completed church, a chapel, father superior's suite, monks' cells, household premises and a garden. The monastery plans to put up a school and a belfry.

The citizens of Russia, Romania, Thailand and Laos wished to join the monastery. By the blessing of Patriarch Kirill, the list of brethren will be provided for the approval of the Moscow Patriarchate department for foreign institutions.

Source