Tears flow as subjects hail His Majesty
**Grand ceremony honours coronation **
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[li]Published: 6/05/2010 at 12:00 AM[/li][li]Newspaper section: News[/li][/ul]
A glimpse of His Majesty the King waving his hand as he left Siriraj Hospital for the Grand Palace yesterday cheered Thais waiting to greet him on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of his coronation.
****60 reasons to be cheerful ****
His Majesty the King leaves Siriraj Hospital for the Grand Palace to preside over a ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of his coronation yesterday.
[RIGHT]PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD[/RIGHT]
A crowd packed the hospital compound early yesterday eager for a glimpse of the King, who, together with Her Majesty the Queen and other members of the royal family, were scheduled to preside over a ceremony marking Coronation Day at the palace.
As the King’s motorcade arrived at the gate of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, lines of people shouted “Long live the King” to welcome him. He responded by waving to them.
The brief greeting was enough to move many spectators, who burst into tears.
Such scenes are common when Thais are given the chance to meet the King, and May 5 is one such opportunity.
A grand ceremony is held on this day to commemorate the King’s coronation.
Their Majesties the Kingand the Queen preside over Buddhist and Brahmin ceremonies at the Amarin Vinitchai Hall in the Grand Palace yesterday, held to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the King’s coronation.
[RIGHT]ROYALHOUSEHOLDBUREAU[/RIGHT]
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, King Rama IX of the Chakri dynasty, was crowned on May 5, 1950, when he also gave his first speech. “We shall rule the country with virtue for the benefit and happiness of all Siamese [Thais],” he said.
Yesterday, the King and the royal family spent almost half a day at the Amarin Vinitchai Hall performing a merit-making ceremony for 20 monks and, in Brahmin tradition, paying homage to gods guarding the noppadol savetachat, a white nine-tiered umbrella of state, or chatra, which is part of the royal regalia.
Their Majesties the King and the Queen and the other members of the royal family returned to Siriraj Hospital at 12.38pm.
The government last night launched a grand ceremony at the Royal Plaza to celebrate Coronation Day. The event, to be held until Sunday, features an exhibition of the King’s projects and a replica of the royal barge Suphannahongse.
His Majesty the King, accompanied by Her Majesty the Queen and HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, is taken to his car as he leaves Siriraj Hospital for the Grand Palace.bron: http://www.bangkokpost.com