Governor Narong entered a 15-day ordainment as a monk at Wat Pa Phutthaphot Hariphunchai in Lamphun province on Aug 26 to make merit ahead of his official retirement as Governor of Phuket on Sept 30, where he was bestowed with the name Phra Nathaplo.
He will return to the island on Sunday and it has been confirmed that he will walk a 2.5-kilometre route during which peope can offer alms as a way of showing respect and making merit if they wish.
The walk is scheduled to start in front of Wat Phuttha Mongkol Nimit on Rommanee Road in Old Phuket Town at 6am on Sunday and will pass through Luang Phor Chuan Road and Surin Road before concluding at the Governor’s residence on the corner of Krabi and Satun Road at 8am.
Such a 15-day ordination is a customary practice for Thai men, reflecting their deep-rooted cultural and spiritual values, Sopon Keamkan, Chief of the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department (PR Phuket), told The Phuket News on Aug 28.
“Governor Narong’s choice to undertake this temporary monkhood showcases his commitment to both his official role as a government representative and his personal dedication to the betterment of the nation. This act reflects a tradition where government officials symbolically offer themselves in service to the country,” Mr Sopon said.
During Governor Narong’s absence, Phuket Vice Governors Amnuay Pinsuwan, Anuparp Rodkwan Yodrabam and Danai Sunantarod have been fulfilling his duties.
Governor Narong arrived in Phuket in June 2020 to replace Phakaphong Tavipatana, who had come under fierce criticism for his handling and implementation of COVID-19 policies.
According to reports in the Thai media online at the time, some people said Governor Phakaphong did too little too late, while others reported that the measures he rolled out were too harsh.
Mr Phakaphong was assigned to the post of Governor of Phetchaburi.
Before his posting to Phuket, Governor Narong, a native of Phatthalung, had previously served as Governor of Chaiyaphum province.
On Governor Narong’s arrival at Phuket Provincial Hall three years ago, the welcoming party was out in force, with many officials present to greet him with flowers.
“I will do my best for Phuket, to develop and lead Phuket to move forward,” Governor Narong told the press as he entered Provincial Hall.
Governor Narong was immediately aware of the plight many people on the island were suffering without any income amid the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
So far, there have been no official announcements detailing who will succeed Mr Narong as Governor of Phuket.