Happy birthday to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej!
Every 5th day of December is a very big and important occassion all over Thailand. All provinces from the biggest to the smallest community celebrates this day as it is the birthday of the so much loved and revered head and father of Thailand, King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX). He is the longest reigning King who has been in the throne for more than 50 years. As a father is the head of the family, the birthday of the King is at the same time celebrated as Father's day, a special day to give honor to all the fathers in the country.
Year 2011 marks the 84th birthday or 7th cycle of His Majesty the King. A grand 7 days celebration
has been organized and prepared which was held at Sanam Luang area including
the Grand Palace which started on the 3rd to the 9th of December 2011. The highlight was on the day itself at 10:30 a.m where
His Majesty the King granted public audience to the Thai people
approximately reaching 18,000 at Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall. Watching the momentous event in a wide TV screen can make one feel the good feelings of love and great respect to the King by the Thai people and even those non-Thai who had learned to love the country as their own.
Though much preparation was done it was simple as compared to the first birthday celebration I had witnessed. I had learned it was due to the wish of His Majesty to have a simple celebration considering the severe flooding calamity that has been experienced by the country. The first one I witnessed before, in the night the whole street of Sanam Luang was closed and it was full of small shops representing the different private and government agencies. There were a lot of well lighted glimmering floats of different designs that showed the creativeness of the Thais for the love of their HM the King. Though this years celebration was simple but it was still festive with the light and sound show in the walls outside the Wat Phra Kaew and variety shows. People flocked in the Sanam Luang and many buses had changed their routes to better serve the people going to the festival.
One of the biggest attraction is the Grand Palace. It was opened for the public for the people to have the chance to see the Grand Palace at night. It was indeed a good opportunity to get inside the number 1 must-see tourist place of Thailand. Another attraction was the light and sound at the walls at the front of the Palace.
May the biggest event of Thailand had been celebrated lavishly or in simple way, one thing so sure, Thai people adore their King.
Long live His Majesty the King!
