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#21
06-03-2006, 12:36 PM
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Quote:
The United Nations Honors His Majesty's Life Work (29/5/2006) United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on 26 May 2006 presented His Majesty the King with a lifetime achievement award in recognition of the global relevance of his call for a sufficiency approach to development. Mr Annan presented the United Nations Development Programme's first Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award at Klai Kangwon Palace in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. In presenting the award, Mr. Annan said "as the world's 'Development King', Your Majesty has reached out to the poorest and the most vulnerable people of Thailand regardless of their status, ethnicity or religion, listened to their problems, and empowered them to take their lives in their own hands." He said that the King had made an ''extraordinary contribution to human development''. With the award, the UN hoped to ''further promote the invaluable experiences and lessons learned from Your Majesty's development endeavors, and help draw attention to Your Majesty's visionary thinking beyond the borders of the Kingdom of Thailand'' http://www.60thcelebrations.com/engl...tail.php?id=95 more on the speeches.... UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Speech for Presenting Award to HM the King : http://www.60thcelebrations.com/engl...tail.php?id=96 His Majesty the King and Human Development: A Keynote Speech : http://www.60thcelebrations.com/engl...tail.php?id=98
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#22
06-03-2006, 01:45 PM
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Thai royal barges sail in the Chao Phya River during a rehearsal for celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the king's accession to the throne in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, June 2, 2006. Celebrations for King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 60th year on the throne, beginning June 9, will be attended by representatives of about a dozen royal families from around the globe.
from reuters & ap (via yahoo)         i think apart from the royal gathering in less than 2 weeks, i would definitely looking forward to this royal barge procession. sure, we've seen many pomp, serenade, and glitters from the european royal or other royals, but compared to thai's, well... this royal barge procession is definitely one of the highlight not to be missed. A Thai Buddhist monk cleans a large portrait of revered Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 78, at the Wat Maipadungkhet temple in Nonthaburi province, in the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, Monday 05 June 2006. Thais from all over the nation will celebrate the world's longest reigning monarch's 60th accession to the throne this week, and will be joined by royalty from 25 countries invited to attend the celebrations. (from ANP-EPA/NARONG SANGNAK)  
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#23
06-05-2006, 02:29 PM
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looks like it's not only the preparation that has started, but yes, royal spirits & moods are really getting on around Thailand..
Subway passengers are seen wearing yellow shirts in different designs in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, June 5, 2006. Yellow shirts, honoring the country's beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the 60th anniversary of his accession to the throne, are so popular that there aren't enough to go around. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit via yahoo)  A worker installs a portrait of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, ahead of celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the king's accession to the throne, in Bangkok June 5, 2006. (from REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang via yahoo) 
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#24
06-06-2006, 07:55 AM
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Thailand is now ready for Diamond Jubilee celebrations BANGKOK, June 6 (TNA) - Thailand is now fully prepared for Royal and state ceremonies marking the auspicious occasion of the 60th anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's accession to the throne this month, including security measures, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said here on Monday.All preparations for the country's grand celebrations for His Majesty the King's Diamond Jubilee are now fully complete, according to the prime minister. (...) The world royalty will stay in Thailand between June 7-21 when they will be warmest welcomed with national uniqueness and tightened security measures, according to Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai, "Kings and Queens from 25 countries worldwide have confirmed to join the Royal and state ceremonies in Bangkok marking the auspicious occasion," he said. The world royalty will be honourably received and welcome at the Royal Thai Air Force Airport and the Don Muang International Airport by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. Some of the world royalty will visit areas and tourist destinations outside Bangkok, including those in the northern province of Chiang Mai, the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, the eastern province of Chonburi, the central provinces of Ratchaburi and Kanchanaburi and the southern province of Phuket, according to the deputy premier. http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=22351 ----- World view: Thailand honours the King By Peter Janssen, dpa All of Thailand, and royalty from around the world, this month pays special tribute to a special king On Friday, the nation will celebrate the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's accession to the throne, making him the longest reigning monarch in the history of Thailand, previously called the Kingdom of Siam. Thais from all walks of life have sought ways to pay tribute to their king, who for the vast majority of the 63 million population has been a benevolent presence throughout their lives and the one constant in a tempestuous recent history that has seen this nation evolve from an absolute monarchy - overthrown in 1932 - to a modern democracy, with 19 military coup d'etats or attempts along the way. Yellow T-shirts bearing the royal emblem of King Bhumibol have become the fashion statement of the year for Bangkokians and are reportedly in short supply given the huge demand. (...) The highlight of the celebrations will be the Royal Barge Procession, a re-creation of the royal fleet of long rowing boats that were used for battle and ceremonies when Thailand's capital was still in Ayutthaya, and was also launched to mark the king's 60th birthday in 1987 and to mark his 50th year on the throne 10 years ago. It will be staged on the evening of June 12 (Monday) on the Chao Phraya River, or "River of Kings," that circumvents Bangkok. Between Friday through Sunday, merit-making ceremonies and prayers will be conducted to commemorate deceased members of the Chakri dynasty. Monday's procession will involve 52 ornately carved crafts with 2,082 oarsmen and will be observed by 13 monarchs, 4 royal consorts, six crown princes and two royal representatives. "This has never been done before in Thailand," said Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Kitti Wasrinond of the royal entourage. "We're very happy with the response to our invitations." Among the royal audience, who will be observing the barge procession at the Royal Navy Conference Hall, will be Japan's Emperor and Empress, the kings of Bahrain, Cambodia, Lesotho, Jordan, Sweden and Swaziland, the Sultan of Brunei, Sheikhs of Kuwait and Qatar, two hereditary rajas from Malaysia, the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, the prince of Monaco and hereditary prince of Liechtenstein. The visiting royalty will attend a banquet hosted by His Majesty and Her Majesty the Queen on June 13. (...) "As the world's 'Development King,' Your Majesty has reached out to the poorest and most vulnerable people of Thailand regardless of their status, ethnicity or religion, listened to their problems, and empowered them to take their lives in their own hands," Annan said in an apt summery of the King's lifework. http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_....php?id=101459 ------ Bangkokians happy with HM the King's 60 years on throne BANGKOK, June 6 (TNA) - People in Thailand's capital--Bangkok--says they are most happy with the auspicious occasion of the 60th anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's accession to the throne, according to a poll. The poll, conducted by Ramkhamhaeng University, found that the majority of respondents, or 94.8 per cent, feel most happy with the auspicious occasion this year. http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=22363
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#25
06-06-2006, 09:01 AM
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from 60th Celebrations' website :
List of Monarchs and Their Representatives to Join the Celebrations for the 60th Anniversary of His Majesty's Accession to the Throne Foreign monarchs and their representatives from 25 countries around the world will join the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of His Majesty's accession to the Throne on 12 and 13 June 2006. They are listed as follows: 12 Monarchs/Heads of State * His Majesty Preach Bat Samdech Preah Baromneath Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia * His Highness Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani of Qatar * His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait * His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of Jordan * His Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan * His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaulah of Brunei Darussalam * His Majesty Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong XII of Malaysia * His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco * His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg * His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho * His Majesty King Mswati of Swaziland * His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden (with Queen Silvia) 13 Representatives * His Royal Highness Prince Henrik, the Prince Consort of Denmark * His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupouto’a of Tonga * His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway (with Crown Princess Mette-Marit & Prince Sverre Magnus) * His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander, the Prince of Orange of The Netherlands (with Crown Princess Maxima) * His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman al Khalifa of Bahrain * His Royal Highness Crown Prince Philippe of Belgium (with Crown Princess Mathilde) * His Royal Highness Crown Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan * Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Salma Bennani of Morocco * Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain * His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates * His Royal Highness the Duke of York of the United Kingdom * His Serene Highness Prince Hans Adam II of Liechtenstein * His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Taimour Al Said of Oman ps. the royal website only mentioned the royal representatives, not along with the princess/queen consort (so we might see an extended guestlist later on)
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#26
06-06-2006, 09:19 AM
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A Thai royal barge paddles in the Chao Phya River during a rehearsal for celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the king's accession to the throne in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, June 6, 2006. Celebrations for King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 60th year on the throne, beginning June 9, will be attended by representatives of about a dozen royal families from around the globe.
from yahoo/ap
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#27
06-06-2006, 09:19 AM
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schedule
Programs for Visiting Royals During the Sixtieth Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne The highlight of the Sixtieth Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne is marked by the presence of reigning monarchs and their representatives from 25 countries in Bangkok on Monday, June 12 and Tuesday, June 13. The visiting monarchs and royal representatives will be the guests of the government and people of Thailand. JUNE 12
JUNE 13 The program on June 13 will take place at Borommaratchasathit Maholan, the extended part of Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall, in the compound of the Grand Palace.
(6/6/2006) source : 60th celebrations website
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#28
06-06-2006, 09:30 AM
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more news of the royal guests (with their short profile) from the 60th celebration's website :
The Prince Consort of Denmark and the Crown Prince of Norway to Join the Celebrations of 60th Year of His Majesty’s Reign Royals comprising monarchs and their representatives from 25 countries have confirmed that they would participate in the sixtieth anniversary celebrations of His Majesty the King of Thailand’s accession to the throne on June 12 and 13. Out of the 25 countries, monarchs from 12 countries will come in person. Those from the remaining 13 nations will send their representatives. Among them are His Royal Highness Prince Henrik, the Prince Consort of Denmark, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway. Prince Henrik is the husband of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. The Queen’s style of reigning is outgoing and she is regarded by the whole kingdom with respect and affection. The Prince Consort studied law and political science at the Sorbonne in Paris. In 1967, he married Princess Margrethe, the heiress presumptive to the Danish throne. They have two children, Crown Prince Frederick and Prince Joachim. He speaks fluent English, Chinese, and Vietnamese. Prince Henrik is now 72 years old. He paid a private visit to Thailand in 1999 to observe natural resource conservation. Two years later, he accompanied Queen Margrethe II on a state visit to Thailand and joined the Elephant Reintroduction Project, initiated by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. Thailand and Denmark began their trade contact during the Ayutthaya period. The two countries have developed relations in all fields since they signed a treaty on amity, commerce, and navigation in 1858. Their Majesties the King and Queen paid a state visit to Denmark in 1960. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn visited Denmark once in 1988 and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in 2002. Crown Prince Haakon of Norway will be accompanied by his consort, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and their son, Prince Sverre Magnus, on the visit to Thailand this month, as the representative of His Majesty King Harold V of Norway. Aged 33, Crown Prince Haakon obtained a master’s degree in international politics from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He paid a visit to Thailand in 2004 on the occasion of the centennial celebrations of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Norway in 2005. Their Majesties the King and Queen paid a state visit to Norway in 1960. Members of the Thai Royal Family also exchanged visits occasionally with the Norwegian Royal Family. Thailand and Norway moved closer together when King Chulalongkorn, Rama V, visited Norway in 1907. There is a project to build a Buddhist and Thai Cultural Center in Oslo, Norway, as part of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of King Chulalongkorn’s visit to Norway. The opening of the center is scheduled for July 2007. Royal Representatives from the Middle East in the Sixtieth Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne Representatives of three countries in the Middle East will represent their heads of state in the 60th anniversary celebrations of His Majesty the King of Thailand’s accession to the throne on June 12 and 13. They are from Bahrain, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister of Bahrain, will attend the celebrations on behalf of His Majesty Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa. He is the uncle of the reigning monarch of Bahrain and has served as prime minister since 1971. Aged 71, the Prime Minister of Bahrain was educated in the United Kingdom. He paid several private visits to Phuket Island, and in 2001, he visited Thailand as guest of the Government. He was also granted audiences with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej during some of his visits here. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn paid a visit to Bahrain in 1989. His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Tairmour Al-Said will join the celebrations on behalf of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said. The Prince serves as advisor to the ruler of the Sultanate of Oman. He was educated in the United Kingdom and is now 50 years old. The Prince paid several private visits to Thailand. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn visited Oman once in 1989, as guest of the Government of Oman. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan will represent the reigning monarch and president of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, in the celebrations in Bangkok. Sheikh Mohammed is the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and he is now 45 years old. He paid a private visit to Thailand in 2003 to attend a soccer tournament between the two countries. Visiting Royalty from Bhutan, Liechtenstein, Morocco, and Tonga for the Celebrations of His Majesty the King’s 60th Year on the Throne Thailand will see a large gathering of the world’s monarchs, who will visit Thailand for the sixtieth anniversary celebrations of His Majesty the King’s accession to the throne on June 12 and 13. Royals from Bhutan, Liechtenstein, Morocco, and Tonga will represent their kings in the celebrations. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck of Bhutan will be here on behalf of his father, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. Aged 26, the Crown Prince of Bhutan is unmarried. He completed his studies in the Foreign Service Program from Oxford University, national defense from National Defense College in India, and innovations in governance from Kennedy School of Governance, the United States. Crown Prince Jigme, who is now the president of the Royal University of Bhutan, has an active role in numerous cultural, educational, and economic organizations. He paid several private visits to Thailand, where he once visited the Royal Project in Chiang Mai. The King of Bhutan has announced his intention to abdicate in 2008, and then the Crown Prince will succeed to the throne. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn visited Bhutan once, in 1991. His Serene Highness Hereditary Prince Alois is the eldest son of the reigning Prince Hans Adam II of Liechtenstein. Aged 38, the Prince graduated from the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, England, and completed his studies in law from Salzburg University in Austria. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej once visited Liechtenstein while he was studying in Switzerland. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn paid a visit to this country in 1998, at the invitation of Prince Hans Adam II. So far, there have been no high-level visits by Liechtenstein to Thailand. Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Salma Bennani is the consort of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco. She is the first wife of a Moroccan ruler to have been publicly acknowledged and given a royal title. Princess Lalla Salma received a degree in computer science and she is now 27 years old. She paid a private visit to Thailand once in July 2005, following a private visit here by the King of Morocco in 2002. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn visited Morocco in 1994. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupouto’a of Tonga will come here on behalf of the King of Tonga. The eldest son of King Taufa’ahua Tupou IV, the Crown Prince graduated from Sandhurst Royal Military Academy and Oxford University in the United Kingdom. He served as Foreign Minister from 1979 to 1998 and has substantial business interests in Tonga and abroad. Aged 58, he is unmarried. The Crown Prince of Tonga paid several private visits to Thailand. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited Tonga in 1996 and she also wrote, in one of her books, about her impressive meeting with the Crown Prince of Tonga.
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#29
06-06-2006, 09:32 AM
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more news of the royal guests (with their short profile) from the 60th celebration's website :
Representatives of the British and Spanish Monarchs in the 60th Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne His Royal Highness the Duke of York of the United Kingdom will represent Queen Elizabeth II in joining the sixtieth anniversary celebrations of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s accession to the throne on June 12 and 13. The monarch of Spain, King Juan Carlos, will send Queen Sofia as his representative in the celebrations in Thailand. The Duke of York, or Prince Andrew Albert Christian Edward, is the third child and the second son of Queen Elizabeth II. He is currently fourth in the line of succession. Aged 46, the Duke of York completed his studies from Britannia Naval College in Dartmouth, English. He resigned from the Royal Navy in 2001 and currently serves as the United Kingdom’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment. The Duke of York paid visits to Thailand three times. His latest visit here took place in April 2005, when he was granted an audience with His Majesty the King at Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin. This time the Duke of York will arrive in Bangkok on June 7 and depart on the early morning of June 14, after the royal banquet hosted by His Majesty the King Bhumibol for royal guests. Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain will arrive in Bangkok on the morning of June 12 and depart on June 14. Born Princess Sofia of Greece and Denmark, Queen Sofia is now 68 years old and speaks Spanish, Greek, German, French, and English. She studied pediatrics, music, and archeology in Athens. Queen Sofia currently serves as President of the Foundation for Special Education and the Foundation for Aid for Drug Users. She accompanied the King of Spain on his private and state visits to Thailand four times. In 1996, Queen Sofia, together with Queen Sirikit of Thailand, presided over the launching of Chakri Nurubet, the Royal Thai Navy’s largest offshore patrol helicopter carrier, at the Bazan Shipyard in El Ferrol in Spain. Participation of the Netherlands and Belgium in the 60th Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands will send her son, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, as her representative to attend the 60th anniversary celebrations of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s accession to the throne. In the same celebrations, scheduled for June 12 and 13, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Philippe will represent his father, His Majesty the King of Belgium. Aged 39, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands is the eldest son of Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus. He obtained a master’s degree in history and has borne the title of Prince of Orange since Queen Beatrix was crowned. The Prince visited Thailand twice. The first visit, as guest of Their Majesties the King and Queen, took place in 1987. On the second visit, he accompanied Queen Beatrix during her state visit to Thailand in January 2004, when the two countries celebrated the 400th year of Thai-Dutch relations. Friendship between Thailand and the Netherlands began in 1604 when the King of Siam met representatives of the Dutch East India Company in Ayutthaya. Later, King Ekathotsarot of the Ayutthaya Kingdom sent a mission to the Netherlands to seal official relations. King Chulalongkorn, Rama V, the first Thai king to go abroad, visited Europe for the first time in 1897; the trip took him to 15 countries, including the Netherlands. The Crown Prince Philippe, the son of King Albert II and Queen Paola of Belgium received a master’s degree in political science from Stanford University in California. Crown Prince Philippe, who is now 46 years old, paid a visit to Thailand in 2001 together with his consort, Princess Mathilde. On this occasion, they were also granted an audience with His Majesty the King. Their Majesties the King and Queen paid a state visit to Belgium in 1960, as guests of King Baudouin. In 1993, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn represented Their Majesties the King and Queen in attending the funeral ceremony of King Baudouin. Recently, Princess Astrid, the second daughter of the King and Queen of Belgium, visited Bangkok to attend the Fifth Meeting of State Parties to the Ottawa Convention hosted by Thailand in 2003. She visited Thailand again in 2005 to show sympathy for the country following the tsunami disaster.
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#30
06-06-2006, 01:12 PM
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Thailand celebrates king's 60 years on throne
BANGKOK (AFP) - Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, will mark his 60th anniversary on the throne with days of rituals and feasts -- and royalty from around the world. The festivities have attracted some of the world's highest-profile royals, including Emperor Akihito of Japan, Prince Albert II of Monaco, King Abdullah II of Jordan, as well as leaders of several Gulf states. But while some of his fellow rulers have suffered scorn and rough treatment in the press, the 78-year-old monarch is revered with intense devotion here -- a reverence accompanied by a ban on books considered critical of him. His picture hangs in every taxi, office and shop, and his anniversary will be colored in hues both patriotic and religious, with a two-day holiday in Bangkok to mark the occasion. "Every time in the past 60 years when our country faces a crisis, he comes out to solve the problem for his people," Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Friday. "Thais are very lucky to have the king." (...) The banquet hosts monarchs from 13 nations -- Brunei, Cambodia, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Qatar, Swaziland and Sweden. Other royalty will come from Bahrain, Belgium, Britain, Bhutan, Denmark, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Spain, Tonga and the United Arab Emirates. (...) http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060604...y_060604053622 Royal fever sweeps Thailand for king's anniversary BANGKOK (AFP) - Millions of Thais are donning a bright new look by dressing in yellow shirts to honor their beloved king's 60th anniversary on the throne. Yellow is the color associated with Monday, the day the King Bhumibol Adulyadej was born. While royalty from 25 nations will arrive in Bangkok on Sunday for a gala event to mark the anniversary, which falls on Friday, ordinary Thais have seized upon the yellow shirts as a way to show their respect to the 78-year-old monarch. http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060606...n_060606061522
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#31
06-07-2006, 04:55 AM
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2 great article on the King and his devotion to his people...
Enduring love of the King and Thais By Andrew Drummond World’s longest-reigning monarch is still revered as he celebrates 60 years on the throne MONARCHIES around the world may be struggling to retain the love and allegiance of their people, but not in Thailand. Kings, queens and princes of many nationalities will fly to Bangkok this week to join King Bhumibol Adulyadej in celebrating 60 years on the throne. For the Thai people, the world’s longest-reigning monarch remains the most revered figure in their lives, save for Lord Buddha himself. Thailand’s strict laws forbidding criticism of the King are hardly necessary. An accomplished jazz musician, yachtsman, artist and author, the 79-year-old monarch also devotes great energy to helping his country’s poor and has repeatedly used his immense moral authority to save his country from turmoil. King Bhumibol, the great-grandson of King Mongkut, of The King and I fame, was born in Massachusetts in 1927. He was thrust upon the throne in 1946 after his brother, Ananda, was murdered in the palace in Bangkok with his own pearl-handled revolver. (...) Over the next week the celebrations will continue with candlelight ceremonies and fireworks displays around Bangkok’s golden-spired temples. Millions of Thais will don armbands with the message “Long live the King”. The climax will be a well-wishing ceremony in the Ananta Sarnakorn throne hall and a massive and colourful barge procession along the Chao Phraya river. The finale will be a royal banquet for the world’s royalty and final well-wishing ceremony. This will be attended by the heads or representatives of the royal families of Denmark, Sweden, Spain, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Mon- aco, Brunei, Bhutan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Japan, Jordan, Malaysia, Nepal, Cambodia, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Samoa, Tonga, Swaziland, Lesotho, and Morocco. Britain will be represented by the Duke of York. When the celebrations are over, King Bhumibol will continue to offer sage advice to his most loyal subjects, even if it is dispensed through books describing the model conduct of his dog, Tongdeang. The monarch uses the dog’s loyal and pragmatic behaviour in parables to inspire the Thai people. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...211003,00.html Crown jewel A monarch who for 60 years has been Thailand’s stabilising influence Thailand will set aside its various troubles this week. The country has had no parliament since April when the opposition boycotted snap elections. The courts, commanded by the palace to sort out the “political mess”, annulled the elections but have yet to chart a way forward. In the prevailing uncertainty Thais have, yet again, reason to be grateful for the stabilising influence of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who, for 60 years, has been their constant point of reference. Thais like to compare this self-effacing man, a punctiliously constitutional monarch whose word has unquestioned authority, to “the comforting shade of a big tree”. They will gather under it reverently to observe the festivities, the stately barge processions and the gold-caparisoned royal white elephants, which begin this Thursday in celebration of the diamond jubilee of his accession. The devotion he inspires would be extraordinary in a traditional society, let alone the rapidly modernising country that Thailand has become. The King’s picture is everywhere, not only in the Buddhist heartlands of Thailand but also in the restive largely Muslim south: not just on public buildings but also in people’s homes, worn on ploughs and taxis and around necks, tucked into wallets as a talisman. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...211015,00.html Bangkok, THAILAND: Thai girls dress in traditional costumes rehearse prior to the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Thai King accession to the throne in Bangkok, 07 June 2006. King Bhumibol will celebrate the 60th anniversary of coming to the throne, with 25 monarchs from around the world expected to attend celebrations in Bangkok. (PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL/AFP/Getty Images)    Thais line up to write in royal well-wishing books their messages to their beloved and much revered King in a busy commercial shopping centre in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday 07 June 2006. Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest reigning monarch, celebrates his 60th anniversary of his accession to the throne Friday bringing kings and queens from 25 countries to Thailand and an outpouring of national support for the 78-year-old monarch. (ANP-EPA/BARBARA WALTON)    
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#32
06-07-2006, 09:22 AM
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Prince Andrew (L) walks with Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (R) shortly after arriving at a military airport in Bangkok, 07 June 2006. Prince andrew is here to attend King Bhumibol's 60th anniversary of coming to the throne.
from anp
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