13 June 2006
A TOAST TO THE KING
Royals gather for grand gala dinner at Throne Hall
As part of the jubilee celebration, the King gave each of the royal guests a gold coin at the end of the state dinner as a souvenir. One side of the gold coin features the Thai flag and the flag of the nation that the royal guest represents. The other side of the coin illustrates the royal projects of His Majesty.
Hand in hand, Their Majesties the King and Queen welcomed the royal guests from 25 nations to the Chakri Throne Hall and its new extension, the Borommaratcha-sathit Maholan Throne Hall, where they enjoyed a glamorous state dinner to mark His Majesty's 60 years as King.
The Chakri Throne Hall, in the Grand Palace compound, was illuminated with glittering lights, showing off its marvellous structure. The palace, built during the reign of King Chulalongkorn, is a combination of European-style architecture with a Thai castle-like top. It is inside this palace that King Chulalongkorn signed an end to slavery in Siam more than 100 years ago.
It was a night of formality and splendour, that started with the arrival of Their Majesties the King and Queen and the other members of the Royal Family at about 7.45pm, as they got ready to welcome the kings, queens and royal representatives from 25 countries for the state dinner.
The royal banquet capped the grand celebrations of the King's 60th anniversary on the throne.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/06/14/headlines/headlines_30006420.php
'TIME' REPORT
King 'demonstrates royalty is still relevant'
Author cites universal admiration for HM; says Asian monarchs 'maintain mystique'
Royalty is still a fact of life in much of Asia and has been able to maintain its mystique and relevance for societies that retain it.
In this week's edition of Time magazine, author Pico Iyer pointed to His Majesty the King's place in Thai society as "powerful proof that royalty is still relevant".
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/06/14/headlines/headlines_30006416.php
GrandDuchess said:
According to what I've read, it should be the Thai interior minister, Bhokin Bhalakula. The Order of the Polar Star has been bestowed upon him as an appreciation from Sweden, for the efforts and help in connection to the tsunami in 2004.
Before him, I think at least two Thai officials have received royal decorations from King Carl Gustaf during the Royal Couple's visit in 2005.
you're right, GrandDuchess!
Swedish King honours Bhokin
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden yesterday granted the "Royal Order of the Polar Star" (first class) to former interior minister Bhokin Bhalakula for assistance he provided to Swedish and other tourists affected by the 2004 tsunami.
Bhokin is the first Thai to receive the royal decoration in this class, the Thai News Agency reported from the Oriental Hotel in Bangkok.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/06/14/national/national_30006407.php
Emperor, Empress inspect Prince's research project; royals pan out across the capital
Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan visited Chulalongkorn University yesterday morning to inspect a Japan-Thai joint research project initiated by their second son, Prince Akishino.
The project, which studies multi-dimensional relationships between humans and chickens, features an exhibition of chicken specimens collected by Prince Akihito, who holds a PhD in ornithology, the study of birds.
It was Their Majesties' second visit to Chulalongkorn, the first being in 1964. On arrival, the Emperor and Empress were welcomed by the chairperson of the university's council, its president and vice president, and student representatives, displaying the flags of Japan and Thailand.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/06/14/headlines/headlines_30006403.php
