Op 5 december is het weer zover, en in Nederland denkt dan iedereen aan Sinterklaas maar in Thailand is dat de dag dat alle Thaise neuzen, ondanks alle politieke meningsverschillen, arm of rijk, dezelfde kant op staan. Het is de verjaardag van de Koning en dat wordt overal in het land gevierd. Om 19.19 precies wordt er in elke stad en dorp een zee van kaarsen aangestoken. Maar de meest spectaculaire parades en festivititeten spelen zich rondom het koninklijk paleis in Bangkok af met diverse licht en geluidsshows, een film over het leven van de koning, die op de muur van het paleis wordt geprojecteerd en nog veel meer. Maar waar elke Thai het meeste naar uitziet dit jaar zal de verschijning van de koning zelf zijn in het openbaar, want zijn zwakke gezondheid en zijn al maandenlange verblijf in het ziekenhuis leiden al geruime tijd tot veel bezorgdheid en geruchten.
**King leaves hospital to preside over ceremony **
Published: 5/12/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News
Thais will be filled with joy today as His Majesty the King appears in public to preside over the royal ceremony to mark his 82nd birthday.
A structure bearing His Majesty the King’s image is erected at Plabpla Maha Jetsadabodin Ground to mark his 82nd birthday. JETJARAS NA RANONG
The event is eagerly anticipated by people across the nation as it will be the third time the King has appeared in public since he was admitted to Siriraj Hospital on Sept 19 for treatment for inflammation of his lungs.
Thousands are likely to throng the route from Siriraj Hospital to the Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall in the Grand Palace, where the King is giving an audience.
Royal family members, cabinet members, top state officials and MPs will be granted an audience to wish the monarch a happy birthday.
The ceremony is the only event which the King will attend as part of the celebrations to mark his birthday. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will represent the King at other functions.
On Oct 23, His Majesty the King appeared in public for the first time after spending more than a month in hospital.
Well-wishers at the hospital were given a welcome surprise when they saw the King come down from his hospital room on the 16th floor.
October 23 is Chulalongkorn Memorial Day. The nation commemorates the day when King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) passed away, 99 years ago.
Sitting on an electric wheelchair, His Majesty was accompanied by doctors, nurses and security officers. The King paid homage to the statue of King Chulalongkorn, his grandfather.
The King also paid homage to a statue of Prince Mahidol of Songkhla, his father, and a portrait of his late mother, Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra Boromrajajonani.
On Nov 2, His Majesty the King appeared in public again when he joined the Loy Krathong festival at Siriraj Hospital together with members of the royal family.
Karuna Sirilerkudomporn, 48, a government official, rejoices at the news the monarch is granting visitors an audience today.
She plans to take her family to wait along the route from the hospital to the Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall in the Grand Palace, to pay respects to the King and to wish him well.
“I have been watching the news all day to see which route His Majesty’s motorcade will pass.”
Nantana Saengsri, 55, a housewife, said she was overwhelmed with news of His Majesty leaving the hospital.
“I can’t help myself but cry with joy. I wish I didn’t have asthma which keeps me away from crowded places. I wish I could be among the crowds [today],” she said.
Poramain Rakdee, 30, a private officer, said he wouldn’t miss today’s festivities for the world.
Activities are being held nationwide to celebrate the King’s birthday.
In Phuket, sea turtles will be released back to the sea as meritorious acts for the King. In Chiang Rai, blood donations will be made for the Thai Red Cross on the occasion of the King’s birthday. Muslims in the southern border provinces will gather at mosques to pray for the King.
Published: 5/12/2009 at 01:15 PM
Online news: Breakingnews
The country can have stability, prosperity and peace only if all Thai people perform their duties with sincerity, true intention and honesty, and put the country above self interest, His Majesty the King said in a speech from the throne on Saturday, his 82nd birthday.
"My happiness derives from the stability, prosperity and peace of our country,‘’ the King told members of the royal family, cabinet ministers, privy councilors, state officials and members of the House of Representatives.
His Majesty this morning left Siriraj Hospital to grant an audience at the Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall in the Grand Palace.
It was his third public appearance since being admitted to Siriraj Hospital on Sept 19 for treatment for a lung infection.
His Hajesty called on all members of the country’s key institutions and the Thai people to perform their duty with sincerity, true intentions and honesty, and to put the benefit of the country above self interest.
“Stability, prosperity and peace can occur only when all Thai people know their duty and fulfill their responsibilities,” the King said.
His Majesty thanked everyone for their best wishes for his happiness, strength and good health.
He also blessed all Thai people and wished them happiness.
After the the King delivered his address he returned by motorcade to Siriraj Hospital.
Published: 6/12/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News
Just a glimpse of His Majesty the King as his royal motorcade was gliding by brought joy to tens of thousands of his pink-clad subjects lining the streets on Saturday.
MAKING MERIT: Ayutthaya residents made merit to mark His Majesty the King’s 82nd birthday yesterday. Monks and novices formed a 1km-long line to accept alms from the people. PHOTO: SUNTHORN PONGPAO
From Siriraj Hospital to Sanam Luang and its adjacent streets, friends and families eagerly awaited the King and members of the royal family who left the hospital at about 11am to preside over a royal ceremony at the Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall inside the Grand Palace to mark His Majesty’s 82nd birthday.
“I camped here with about 80 friends since 4am so that we could occupy the best viewing spot,” said 40-year-old Wannana Pratumthong, who made a trip from Chanthaburi province with a group of friends in order to get a place in the front row of the footpath in the Sanam Luang area just for the occasion.
Sitting in a van and waving his hand to well-wishers, the King left the hospital in a wheelchair and was attired in his full royal white uniform.
“I was almost crying when I saw His Majesty waving his hand to us,” she said.
Ms Wanana said she and her friends had been worried about the King’s health since his hospitalisation on Sept 19 for treatment of an inflammation of the lungs.
“Seeing him from such a close distance, I feel that he is healthy and will be with us for a long time,” she said.
PRAYING FOR THE KING: Civil servants, local residents, and Islamic leaders in Yala offer their birthday greetings by praying for His Majesty’s full recovery from his recent illness. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD AYUB PATHAN
The pink crowds along the streets from the hospital to the Grand Palace chanted “Long Live the King” as the motorcade passed by.
“I’ve been really worried about his health. I wish he gets well very soon,” said a tearful Somjit Senapan, a 61-year-old retired teacher from Songkhla province.
“He looks healthy and happy today. It’s such a joyful moment for me,” she added.
Sunthorn Sujarit, a 41-year-old native of Roi Et province, said it was the first time he had seen the King in person.
“I will be here all day to celebrate his birthday. I wish him full recovery very soon,” he said.
Many well-wishers stayed put on the footpath to get a second glimpse of the King on his way back to the hospital.
At Siriraj, visitors also jostled for spots they expected His Majesty would pass before leaving for the Grand Palace.
Namthip Nilkhamhaeng and Chamaiphorn Yenkhae, two traders from Dusit district who were among those waiting to see the King, said they wanted to see unity among the Thais so that His Majesty could feel at ease.
Ngekkhiang sae Ui, 82, who was waiting to see His Majesty’s motorcade on a pavement in her wheelchair, said she just wanted to have a glimpse of the monarch.
She hoped His Majesty would quickly recover from his illness.
Published: 6/12/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News
His Majesty the King yesterday urged Thais to join hands in returning the country to normal, and set aside personal benefits for the sake of the public interest if they want to make him happy on his birthday.
BANGKOK UNITES: People from all walks of life hold candles in front of His Majesty’s portrait in a ceremony led by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to celebrate the King’s birthday at Sanam Luang last night. Similar ceremonies were held across the country.
Speaking to dignitaries who came to wish him well on his 82nd birthday, the monarch said he wanted stability and prosperity to return to the country.
Without unity, however, his hopes for the country and his people could not be attained.
“My happiness and goodness will be preserved if our nation has prosperity, normalcy and stability,” His Majesty told an audience at the Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall at the Grand Palace.
Royal family members, and key administrative, judicial and legislative figures were granted an audience at the throne hall.
The King, however, stressed that what he would like to see would not be possible unless all people showed a strong will to do their best, with only one goal in mind - putting the national interest above all else.
“These will be truly possibly achieved if everybody in the country determines to perform their duties to their best ability with consciousness, wisdom and honesty for the public benefit more than anything else,” His Majesty said.
“I ask all of you here who hold important positions in key institutions, and all Thais, to thoroughly understand their duty and do their best for the public interest for the sake of our country’s prosperity.” His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn yesterday morning led senior officials in presenting birthday wishes to His Majesty.
The Crown Prince said he was glad to see the King recover from his illness.
He was fortunate to be born a Thai and to be raised by His Majesty to live happily with prosperity and honour.
The Crown Prince vowed to do his best as a Thai and as a member of the Chakri dynasty to serve the country.
He said he would adhere to honesty and would be loyal to His Majesty and Thailand forever.
The Crown Prince wished His Majesty to stay in good health and be free from all kinds of trouble. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and House Speaker Chai Chidchob also presented to the monarch their birthday wishes, saying they were glad that the King had recovered from his illness.
They also wished His Majesty would stay in good health and live a long life.
The prime minister said later that he had ordered publication of the King’s throne hall speech.
The published speech will be distributed to cabinet members and all government agencies, so officials could use it as a guideline in their work.
Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey of the Prime Minister’s Office said he would seek cooperation from the media to publicise His Majesty’s speech every day this month so Thais could feel grateful to the King and use the monarch’s advice as guidelines for their lives.
The speech is also expected to bring peace and reconciliation to the country, said Mr Sathit. Mr Abhisit last night joined members of the cabinet, senior officials and thousands of other well-wishers to perform a candle-light ceremony to mark His Majesty’s birthday at Sanam Luang.
**Politicians, army vowto strive for ‘normalcy’ **
Published: 7/12/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News
The government and political parties are promising to pay heed to His Majesty the King’s birthday message.
His Majesty the King appears on the balcony of his 16th floor room in the Chalerm Phrakiat building at Siriraj Hospital on Saturday to take photos of the illuminated sky during celebrations marking his birthday taking place at Sanam Luang.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday called on his cabinet members and all Thais to implement His Majesty’s plea for them to do their duty to return Thailand to a society in harmony.
“Everyone should think [of what we can do] to enjoy normality again,” Mr Abhisit said in his weekly address broadcast on television and radio.
The country has been divided into two camps since the coup in 2006 which brought down the Thaksin Shinawatra government. The King, who addressed members of the royal family and senior politicians to mark his birthday on Saturday, said his happiness was based on the “prosperity, normalcy and stability” of the nation and the only way to realise that was to achieve unity.
His Majesty’s message will be published by the government and distributed across the country.
The initiative was supported by army chief Anupong Paojinda, who yesterday said he was glad to see a speedy response by the government.
** Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn watches the activities across the Chao Phraya River from a hospital window.
Gen Anupong said Thailand had been in a state of confusion for too long.
It had damaged the country economically and socially.
Even the Puea Thai Party, which is at odds with the Abhisit government, yesterday promised to stick to its “honest duty” to scrutinise the government’s work, party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said.
Other political parties also vowed to seek to fulfil the King’s wish for a normal society, including the Bhumjaithai Party.
Bhumjaithai spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said his party would move forward more carefully, with a focus on encouraging unity.
“From now on, our policy will focus on urging people to get together,” he said.
** The Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall provides a backdrop on Saturday to the lightand- sound show, The Greatest of The Kings, The Greetings of The Land, arranged to mark His Majesty’s 82nd birthday PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD
** People quickly occupy seats at the Royal Plaza during the afternoon to have a good view of The Greatest of The Kings, The Greetings of The Land show. The show is on at 7pm every night until Sunday. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD
** People fix their eyes on the 16th floor of the Chalerm Phrakiat building in the hope of catching a glimpse of His Majesty.
Published: 8/12/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News
The glittering and reverential activities along Ratchadamnoen Avenue celebrating His Majesty’s birthday have been extended until Wednesday to allow more people to honour the King who turned 82 on Saturday.
Wadeng Puteh signs a get-well book for His Majesty the King at Siriraj Hospital yesterday. The 95-year-old, who has known the King for years, travelled more than 1,000km from Sai Buri district in Pattani on Sunday to give His Majesty a durian grown in his orchard, which His Majesty once visited. APICHART JINAKUL
The committee organising the event agreed to let the activities, which were scheduled to end yesterday, run for two more days after a flurry of requests.
Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij, the committee chairman, said many people had urged the government to allow them more time to celebrate, while the government also wanted people who had not had the chance to do so to enjoy the festive activities along Ratchadamnoen Avenue.
After tomorrow, the only activity to continue will be the light-and-sound show, The Greatest of The Kings, The Greetings of The Land, which will be held until Sunday at the Royal Plaza.
Mr Korn said the government could have extended the celebration period until Sunday but had to rule it out as the area around Democracy Monument would be occupied by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship for its rally to mark Constitution Day on Thursday.
If the leaders of the UDD agreed to postpone their rally, the government would extend the celebration period to Sunday, he said.
The anti-government group plans to gather for 12 hours from noon to midnight. The red shirts reject the constitution saying it was written by drafters picked by the military coup makers who ousted Thaksin Shinawatra from power in 2006.
The message will be repeated at the Thursday rally.
UDD leader Natthawut Saikua insisted yesterday the red shirt rally would continue as planned and promised it would be peaceful with no attacks on the government.
Thaksin will address his supporters at the rally via a video link.
The UDD rally is seen as a warm-up to a major rally in January to oust the government led by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. The date for the January demonstration has not been set but is expected to be held before lawmakers return to parliament on Jan 21. Its political ally, the Puea Thai Party, plans a censure debate against the administration when the House reconvenes.
The Democrat Party, meanwhile, urged all sectors of society to abide by His Majesty’s call in his speech on Saturday for unity and for people to make an effort to return the country to normal.
Democrat spokesman Buranat Samutarak urged the UDD to delay Thursday’s rally to allow Thais to continue to enjoy the activities to celebrate the King’s birthday and bring about reconciliation during the festive season. The government and the military should assure the public they would not let the rally turn out to be as violent as the Songkran riots, he said.
Defence Ministry spokesman Thanathip Sawangsaeng expressed confidence there would not be any unrest during the red shirt rally. So far there had been no intelligence reports of possible unrest, he said.
Police would be in charge of ensuring law and order during the rally but they could ask for reinforcements from the armed forces if there was any need to control the protesters.