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"My thanks to all of you for your kindness in gathering here in order to offer me best wishes on my birthday. Your sincerely selected blessings are for me to be happy and content," the King said.

"My happiness will transpire when our country prospers and when it is stable and peaceful. Progress and stability will come true if everyone in the nation discharges his duty with all his might and puts the common interest before his own interest. They shall do that with wisdom, conscience, honesty and sincerity.

"I ask all of you here who hold important positions in major institutions of the country, and all groups of Thais, to have a clear understanding about your duties. And then set your sights on performing your duties to the best of your ability for the glorious success of this country, which is where you live and make a living, so that it prospers, stabilises and prevails.

"May the power of the Triple Gems of Buddhism and holy deities protect you from any suffering and danger, and bless you with happiness and success."

Most of the elite in the hall wore grim faces as the King spoke. Are they following their duties as the King said? Have they put the common interest above their own as the King called upon them to do? Do they try to put the country on the path of stability and prosperity, or do they only want to stir the turmoil for their own personal gain?

Earlier, the King had cancelled appearances at most royal functions associated with his birthday. The Trooping of the Colour on December 2, during which top military commanders were bound to swear an oath of allegiance, was called off. The King assigned HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to attend most of the royal functions on his behalf.

If you were Army chief, you must have felt ashamed that you could not participate in the Trooping of the Colour to pledge your loyalty and allegiance. This is probably the first time during the Ninth Reign that the ceremony was cancelled. The divided military was in disarray.

Earlier this week, after a conspicuous silence, General Anupong Paochinda reprimanded Maj-General Khattiya Sawasdipol, alias "Seh Daeng", over a move that he might bring in Rangers to join the red-shirt rally in Bangkok yesterday, Constitution Day. The Rangers are part of a special military unit about to be disbanded. If the Rangers were activated, turmoil could erupt in the streets, just as it did at Songkran this year.

The red-shirt protesters have lost momentum. Led by Thaksin Shinawatra, they aimed to create havoc and bring down the government on November 28. General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's trip to Cambodia to persuade Prime Minister Hun Sen to embrace Thaksin as his government's economic adviser laid the groundwork. Thaksin followed by flying into Phnom Penh with fanfare, in preparation for his dramatic return to Bangkok. Elements inside the country would conspire to bring him back through constitutional or unconstitutional means.

Yet the scheme failed. This forced the parties involved to set-up Sivarak Chotipong, a Thai engineer at Phnom Penh's airport, as a spy. Only Thaksin and the Pheu Thai Party can assist in an amnesty plea for Sivarak, sentenced to seven years in prison and a fine of Bt83,000 over allegations that he sent Thaksin's flight record to the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh.

The Abhisit government also tried to score political points by cancelling festivities associated with the royal birthday celebration on December 10 so that Thais could squarely blame the red shirts for disrupting the event. The celebration could continue on December 11 before ending on December 12. The red-shirt protesters began to gather after midnight at the Democracy Monument, promising the public that it would be a one-day affair.

Over the past week, thousands of Thais wearing pink shirts have been strolling along Rajdamnoen Avenue to take part in His Majesty's birthday celebration. They have come in unity, in a display of loyalty to the monarchy. They are truly the silent majority, belonging not to left, the right, the yellow- or red-shirted agitators. They are simply Thais. Most are not politically conscious. They only wish the best for Thailand and pray for the King's health so that he can continue his glorious reign.

The long and expansive avenue is adorned with glittering lights and decorations, with booths on the royal projects and entertainment shows, befitting a royal birthday celebration. The massive presence of Thais in pink shirts sends an unspoken message of loyalty to the monarchy, which is the pillar of stability and tradition. They have witnessed political turmoil and realise that it will not end easily. But for the time being, they want peace of mind and to pray for the recovery of the King's health. After all, it is another year to be remembered.