People celebrate Thai King’s birthday

BANGKOK, December 3 (TNA) - More than 7,500 people worshipping five major religions in Thailand participated in a walkathon in central Bangkok on Saturday morning, as part of grand celebrations nationwide of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 84th birthday. Led by Thai Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome, local people from all walks of life who are either Buddhists, Muslims, Christians, Brahmins or Sikhs walked from the Democracy Monument on the Rajadamnoen Klang Avenue to Sanam Luang ceremonial ground near the Grand Palace to display their loyalty and to pay tribute to the world’s longest reigning monarch. After arriving at Sanam Luang, they gave an oath of allegiance to the beloved and revered Thai monarch. The walkathon was jointly organized by the Thai Ministry of Culture’s Department of Religious Affairs, the five religious institutions and several public and private offices. The Department of Religious Affairs will also offer alms to 109 Buddhist monks daily from December 3–9 on the auspicious occasion. Similar joyous activities are also being organised in other provinces nationwide. In Chumphon Buri of Thailand's northeastern Surin Province, for instance, local people have jointly released almost 500,000 marine lives in a bid to conserve fish species and to pay tribute to His Majesty the King. (TNA)