Grand celebration
December 6, 2006
I think it is safe to say
that no ruler in the world commands as much love and affection from his
people as does Thailand's King. That was proven again yesterday as
millions of Thais joined the birthday celebrations for the
King that were held throughout the country. The story below describes
the main ceremony at Bangkok's Sanam Luang last evening (pictured
above) and several others in different locations in the country. It
also includes comments from a number of ordinary people.
Nation hails HM the King
Hundreds
of thousands of people gather in Bangkok to commemorate the 79th
birthday of His Majesty
POST REPORTERS
Hundreds of thousands of people packed Sanam
Luang and both sides of Ratchadamnoen Avenue yesterday before joining
the entire country in a mass candle-lit ceremony to commemorate His
Majesty the King's 79th birthday. Some well-wishers arrived early in
the day, lining the route from Chitrlada Palace to the Grand Palace.
They were eager to
catch a glimpse
of the King, who travelled to the Grand Palace in the morning for an audience with
officials and dignitaries
at the Amarin Vinijchai Throne Hall.
As the King's motorcade appeared
about 10.30am, the entire street rippled
with ''Long Live the King'' and yellow and national
flags. A similar scene was repeated in the late afternoon when the King
returned to the Grand Palace to present certificates to senior monks.
The King, accompanied
by Her Majesty the Queen, waved to his subjects who were
dressed in yellow shirts, signifying Monday, the day he was born.
Wanpen Kaew-ampai, a
64-year-old housewife from Samut Prakan, arrived before noon. She was
willing to sit in the sun until the King's motorcade appeared again
late in the afternoon.
''I couldn't wait to
be here. I'd like him to see how much we love him. His Majesty is
ageing. I'm ageing, too. He will live a hundred years, but I won't. So
I have to be here,'' she said.
People at Sanam Luang
received some of the 1.5 million blessed candles distributed around the
country.
They were lit at precisely 7.19pm,
considered an auspicious
time.
Narong Norpan, 72, a
farmer from Chiang Mai, said he wished politicians would listen to the
King's advice and leave him alone.
''I feel sorry that he
is burdened
with politics. I wish politicians would think about the country,'' he
said. ''You have burdened him for too long.''
Boonchuay Krasang, 40,
an office worker, travelled from Buri Ram to show his loyalty to the King.
He said he is proud of the King and vowed
that he would die for him without
giving it a second thought.
commemorate – to remind people of an important person or event
glimpse – a short look at someone or something
audience – a formal meeting with an important person, especially a king or queen
dignitaries – important people
motorcade – a line of slow-moving cars carrying important people, usually as part of a public ceremony
rippled with – a feeling, sound or activity that gradually spreads through a crowd of people
subjects – people belonging to a country with a King or Queen at the head
precisely - exactly
auspicious – showing signs of success or good luck in the future
burdened – faced with difficulties or heavy responsibilities
loyalty – the quality of being faithful in your support of someone or something
vowed – promised formally and seriously
without giving it a second thought – without having any doubts
Police set up 12 activity booths along the
avenue to honour the King. More than 6,000 officers provided security.
At 7.19pm, thousands
of flickering
lights illuminated
the whole of Sanam Luang as people lit candles. This was followed by
fireworks displays.
A variety of
activities were held across the nation yesterday.
Chiang Mai launched a giant
floating lantern
to celebrate the King's birthday. The Lanna lantern was made of 2,200
sheets of paper and was 16 metres high and 10 metres across.
Japan also joined
Thailand in celebrating the King's birthday.
Agriculture Department
chief Adisak Sreesunpagit said the Japanese garden at the Ratchaphruek
Flora Expo in Chiang Mai was re-designed to reflect the ''sufficiency economy''principle
initiated by
the King.
In the southern
province of Narathiwat, state officials and members of the public
presented alms to monks in the morning and gathered at the provincial
hall in the evening for the candle-lit ceremony.
Muslim religious
leaders also converged
on the Islamic committee offices to pray for the monarch's well-being.
Meanwhile, the Royal
Irrigation Department (RID) and Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin responded to the
King's advice on water management. In his birthday-eve speech,
His Majesty said flooding this year was worsened by poor water
management.
RID chief Samart
Chokanapitak said the department will work with other agencies to
improve next year's water management plan. Mr Apirak said City Hall
will also coordinate
with the special committee on royally-initiated projects and the RID on
flood prevention
flickering – (of a light or flame) to keep going on an off as it shines or burns
illuminated – brightly lit
launched – sent into the air
lantern – a light in a transparent case, i.e., a case you can see through
reflect – to show or be a sign of the nature or something or of someone’s attitude or feeling
sufficiency economy – an economic principle under which the people of a country are able to meet their own needs by living moderately and in harmony with the natural environment
converged – came together from different directions
monarch – a person who rules a country, especially a king or queen
responded – reacted to something that was said or done
birthday eve – the day before a birthday
coordinate – to organise the different parts of an activity