On September 1, 2025, the 2nd Army Region page posted a picture of the 2nd Army Region commander inviting Grandfather Sri Sutho and Grandmother Sri Pathumma to be enshrined at the Bung Ta Lua Water Park, Rama IX.
By Lieutenant General Boonsin Phadklang, Commander of the 2nd Army Area, together with Asst. Prof. Supangphan Phadklang, President of the Army Wives Association, 2nd Army Area Branch, presided over the ceremony to invite and pay homage to Grandfather Sri Suttho and Grandmother Sri Pathumma, enshrined at the Bung Ta Lua Water Park in Honor of King Rama IX, Camp Suranaree, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Many members of the public and honored guests attended the ceremony to bring the replica to be enshrined as a sacred object of Korat for the people of Nakhon Ratchasima and nearby provinces who have come to pay homage.
The ceremony began with the invitation of the statue from the residence of the Commander of Army Area 2, with a procession on a royal carriage. The commanders and over 200 dancers moved past the guard station to the water park and the ceremony to pay homage to the deities. This was followed by the invitation of the statue of Grandfather Sri Suttho and Grandmother Sri Pathumma, and there was a worship dance performed by dancers dressed in beautiful green Thai costumes, impressing the attendees.
Later, Lieutenant General Boonsin Phadklang, Commander of Army Area 2, revealed that the idea for the statue came from the intention of providing the people of Korat and nearby areas with a sacred place to gather as a spiritual center. The statue was brought from a forest temple in Udon Thani Province, which has a personal connection to the Commander of Army Area 2.
The construction of this pedestal was built with the faith and donations of the public. It cost over 3 million baht and took 77 days to complete. The surrounding landscape was also improved to be beautiful and safe, aiming to become a new religious tourist attraction.
Within the event, there is also a ceremony to invite three more ancient Buddha images to be enshrined in the courtyard in front of the altar, namely:
The Buddha in imperial attire, 30 inches wide, in the subduing Mara pose.
The principal Buddha image from the Ayutthaya period, lap width 20 inches, Mara-Vijaya posture
Standing Buddha from the Jayavarman period, 220 centimeters tall, in the posture of calming the ocean.
However, this ceremony, organized by the Commander of the 21st Military District, the organizing committee, and the 7th batch of the P.S.B., is believed to bring good fortune, prosperity, and peace to the people of Nakhon Ratchasima and surrounding areas.
