He is Payungsak Kalamik, who now serves as a legal officer at a land-reform office in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Khunying Saengdao Siamwalla, who heads the Thai Muslim Foundation of Thailand for the Welfare of Orphans under the Patronage of His Majesty the King, plus the Pattani provincial office confirmed that the boy was Payungsak.

On Monday, spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee said the government was looking for people captured in five famous pictures taken during the King's travels around the country.

"We are glad to have received these clues," Surapong said. He said a panel would verify the identity of people in the photos by interviewing witnesses and any available evidence, such as a copy of the photos, and information at the Interior Ministry.

After being positively identified, individuals in the pictures, or their relatives or descendants, would be interviewed for a television special entitled "Looking for Those in Pictures". It will be broadcast on May 26, the first day of celebrations to mark the HM the King's 60th year on the throne. They will also be asked to attend a photo exhibition about His Majesty.

Payungsak's mother, Jutharak Kalamik, said all her neighbours knew that the boy in the photo was her eldest son.

"We have this photo pinned to the wall of our house after we saw it published in Thai Rath newspaper. I never imagined the photo would become famous. My son has known all along that he is in the photo," Jutharak, 54, said.

In Mae Hong Son, there were at least two people claiming to be a man who held a child that His Majesty gave medicine to.

Piyanart Srivalo,

Urisara Kowitdamrong

The Nation