Thais participate in activities to celebrate King’s birthday nationwide

BANGKOK,Dec 5(TNA)- Thai people in all sectors on Sunday (December 5) participated in activities to honor His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the occasion of the King’s 83th birthday anniversary.
Bangkok governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra presided over a ceremony to give alms to 284 Buddhist monks in front of the City Hall. Crowds of people, government officials, students and representatives of government and private organizations participated in the activity to give their best wishes to His Majesty the King. A candle-lit ceremony, the show of 1,984 fireworks and a concert to honor the King will take place in front of the City Hall Sunday night.
On Sunday morning, the Culture Ministry organised a walk and run event to honor the King and over 2,000 people participated in the activity. There was also a cultural procession in which participants wore the traditional dresses that represented nine ancient eras of Thailand.
At the Grand Palace in central Bangkok, important persons including privy councilors, cabinet ministers, and senior government officials from military, police and civil service organizations and state enterprises as well as foreign diplomats arrived to sign their names and give their best wishes to His Majesty the King.
In his weekly television talk programme on Sunday morning, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva persuaded people to take part in ceremonies and activities at government offices and private organisations to show their respect to His Majesty the King. He also encouraged people to apply the principle of sufficiency economy that His Majesty the King has advocated for. He believes that sufficiency economy is the best solution to protect the people from the problems and challenges that are emerging in the world.
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand has reigned since 9 June 1946, making him the world’s longest reigning current monarch and the world’s longest serving head of state. (TNA)