Puppet show, tree planting among host of ceremonies
People from all walks of life all over the country yesterday celebrated His Majesty the King's 82nd birthday through various activities.
Besides the grand celebrations that began on Thursday in Bangkok as well as in the provinces, people yesterday attended merit-making, candle-lighting and tree-planting ceremonies for the beloved monarch. Chon Buri made Thailand's largest cake, while Phuket had a parade of over 100 international sailboats for the occasion.
As Bangkok's grand celebrations continued yesterday, 10 countries - Bangladesh, China, Finland, Germany, India, Iran, South Korea, the Philippines, Russia and Spain - presented puppet shows as part of the cultural festival organised at the National Theatre.
South Korean puppet master Chang So-ik said he and his fellow artists were happy to join the event and that Thais were lucky to have a King who took good care of his subjects.
The Culture Ministry and the Foundation for Religion and Quality of Life, which was headed by Privy Councillor Kasem Watanachai, arranged for 400 hilltribe students from Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Phayao to attend the event.
The Metropolitan Police dispatched 1,200 officers to provide security to some 200,000 people who were expected to attend the grand cerebration around the Royal Plaza, Rajdamnoen Klang Road and Sanam Luang.
Earlier in the day, at 7am, Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra led pink-clad residents and officials for alms offerings to 283 Buddhist monks at Sanam Luang to make merit for the King.
Sukhumbhand also invited people to see the city-hosted multimedia exhibition entitled "Phra Baramee Jerdjarasla" (The King's prestige shining over the Land) at the Maha Jessadabodin Royal Pavilion until Monday, which was part of the grand national celebrations by state agencies.
The city also arranged for people to write their good wishes for the King onto flower-shaped cards and give away 10,000 specially printed postcards as souvenirs to well-wishers every day throughout the exhibition period.
In Chon Buri, the tourist city of Pattaya was crowded with pink-clad residents and tourists. Its streets were beautifully decorated with royal flags to mark the King's birthday. The Pattaya Chef Association joined hands with 50 hotels to bake the country's largest cake for underprivileged children and senior citizens yesterday. The cake, consisting of 15 15-inch by 13-inch pieces, was 3.2 metres wide and 3.3 metres long and stood 150 metres tall.
In Phuket's Kata Beach, 111 sailboats from 33 countries, which had competed for the 23rd Phuket King's Cup Regatta since November 29 until yesterday, attended a beautiful parade, presided over by Third Naval Area Commander Vice Admiral Chumnum Ardwong, to mark the King's birthday.
Corrections Department chief Chatchai Sutthiklom yesterday presided over the launch of a project teaching inmates to grow 5,000 herbal plants on salty soil on a 3-rai plot of land in Samut Prakan's Bang Phli district, which will be a herbal garden dedicated to the King.
Tak's Umphang district organised an ordination of trees in the 70,000-rai forestland that included the spectacular Thi Lo Su Waterfall in a bid to conserve the forest for the King's merit.
In Nakhon Ratchasima's Muang district, some 10,000 locals helped each other to plant 9,999 trees on a 1,000-rai plot near the King's 80th Birthday Anniversary Stadium.
Elsewhere, provinces hosted merit-making rituals, staged celebrations and fireworks such as Chiang Mai's grand event at Muang district's Tha Pae Gate and Chiang Rai's longevity ritual by 1,000 Tai Leu residents in Mae Sai district. Ang Thong released 1 million fish and saved 100 buffaloes from the slaughterhouse.
While residents in the three southernmost provinces of the country also hosted merit-making events to mark the day, Fourth Army chief Pichet Wisaijorn yesterday presided over a charity project to perform eye operations for 161 cataract patients at Yala's Bannang Sata Hospital.
In Lampang, the National Elephant Institute, with royal permission displayed to the public at the Elephant Conservation Centre a royal white elephant - Phra Savet Pasurakachen - in full dress, paying respect to the image of HM the King as part of the monarch's birthday celebrations.
Meanwhile, Rajabhat Suan Dusit University's poll, conducted from December 1 to 4 with 2,589 people nationwide, revealed that Thais were happy when thinking about the King's dedication to the cause of the well-being of the Thai people.
The majority (70.28 per cent) were captivated by the King's frequent visits to his subjects in remote areas, while 10.64 per cent of respondents appreciated his conferring of degrees and 7.55 per cent were satisfied with royal projects such as rain-making and water management to prevent flood and drought.
More than half of them vowed to be good and maintain loyalty and honesty, while 14.7 per cent vowed to show solidarity, 12.26 per cent said they would follow royal guidance and 10.33 per cent would make merit, observe religious precepts and offer prayers for the King's longevity and good health.
As the King's birthday is National Father's Day, state offices yesterday also hosted ceremonies to recognise outstanding fathers in the communities, while many families around the country took their fathers out to visit tourist places.
Prachin Buri's Khao Yai National Park reported a 1-kilometre-long traffic jam at its entrances, which, like many tourist destinations, also waived entrance fees for families on the day.
Chon Buri's Khao Khiew Zoo reported a 6-kilometre-long traffic jam at its lone entrance.