Thai King to inaugurate King Rama VIII monument

BANGKOK, June 9 (TNA) - His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej will preside over a ceremony to inaugurate a royal monument of Thailand's late King Rama VIII, His Majesty the King's elder brother, located at the foot of the Rama VIII Bridge in Bangkok's Bang Phlad area Saturday evening. The Bureau of the Royal Household announced that, accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, His Majesty the King will inaugurate the royal monument of the late King Rama VIII at about 5:15pm, covering merit-making rites in honour of the late King, who passed away on June 9, 1946. The royal statue of the late King Rama VIII matches the height of the Rama VIII Bridge and stands in the middle of the newly-developed 35-rai Rama VIII Park on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) said that some 60,000 national flags and flags with the royal emblems would be distributed to people from across the country who are expected to line up between Siriraj Hospital, where His Majesty the King has stayed, and the royal monument site. According to the BMA, drinking water and snacks, as well as temporary shelters and even mobile medical teams have also been prepared for the well-wishers along the route; while people living in adjacent areas have also been encouraged to tidy up their premises for the auspicious occasion. (TNA)