Thousands line up to wish Their Majesties

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva offers a basket of food to one of 182 monks during a New Year’s meritmaking ceremony at Sanam Luang that also drew officials, vendors and the general public yesterday.

Loyal subjects lined up before the Saha Thai Samakhom Pavilion after the Royal Household Bureau opened the Grand Palace's gate for people to sign their name in the memorial album. Each received a bright orange royal calendar in return.

"I've asked the holy relics to protect Their Majesties the King and the Queen," said a 90 yearold Bangkok woman, Rarai Na Pattalung, who comes to the Grand Palace every New Year to bless the royals. " I wish them to have good health and to still be our shelter."

Phusadee Toopichit, 70, said she hopes His Majesty the King would regain his health. She was very happy seeing His Majesty appear on television on Tuesday night.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his wife went to the Grand Palace to leave their season's greeting for Their Majesties.

Cellular operator Advance Info Service reported that over 50 short messages have been sent to wish happiness for other people during the past two days. About 1 million of them were multimedia messages.