The Star Online: Metro: Central
The Star Online: Metro: Central |
| Bhumibol still the guiding light for kingdom Posted: TO mark his 86th birthday anniversary, King Bhumibol Adulyadej granted a grand public audience at his Klai Kangwon Palace in Prachuap Khiri Khan for the first time. A huge number of the much-revered monarch's well-wishers crowded the streets to express their continued deep loyalty to him. This year, Thais' overwhelming respect for His Majesty has caught the world's spotlight, as even the serious confrontations between anti-government demonstrators and the Yingluck Shinawatra-led administration have come to a halt especially for this important occasion. Both sides have organised events to honour the much-beloved King. The king, accompanied by Queen Sirikit, made a public appearance at the Rajapracha Samakhom Pavilion of Klai Kangwon Palace yesterday. Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, Prime Minister Yingluck, Parliament president Somsak Kiatsuranont, the supreme commander, and the chiefs of the armed forces were present to express their well wishes. Nattakan Sittikham, a Nonthaburi resident, had staked her claim to a space on the footpath as early as Wednesday morning. "I came here to honour my much-beloved King. I love him so much because he is so devoted to his country and his people," said the 60-year-old woman. Pattarin Obchoey, 44, said that she, her family members and friends travelled from as far away as Nakhon Pathom because they wanted to express their loyalty to the King. "We came early because we were worried that all the space would be quickly occupied," she said. — The Nation / Asia News Network |
| Bhumibol appeals for stability Posted: BANGKOK: Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej urged the nation to work together for "stability" in a speech on his 86th birthday, marked by an easing of tensions after violent anti-government protests. The kingdom remains on edge following several days of street clashes during demonstrations aimed at overthrowing Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and curbing the political influence of her brother Thaksin. Demonstrators and police in Bangkok have been observing a temporary truce since Wednesday ahead of the birthday celebrations for Bhumibol, who is treated as a near-deity by many Thais. At a formal ceremony attended by dignitaries including the embattled premier, her political rivals and the nation's military heads, the king said the country "has been peaceful for a long time because everybody worked together". "Every Thai should be aware of this and should perform their role for the benefit of the country, which is the stability and security of the country," he said in the speech broadcast on all television channels. Bhumibol, seen as a moral authority in the deeply divided nation, did not specifically mention the recent unrest. The streets near his seaside palace were a sea of yellow yesterday as thousands of people wearing his signature colour turned out to celebrate in the central coastal town of Hua Hin, where he has lived since leaving hospital in August. Kneeling supporters wept and shouted "Long live the King!" as the royal convoy made a brief tour of the town's streets before returning to the palace. Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Yingluck both made speeches in praise of the monarch at the solemn birthday ceremony, the first to be held in Hua Hin. Demonstrators, who cleaned up a key rally site in Bangkok in preparation for the birthday festivities, paused in reverence yesterday but plan to resume their action today. Any political action or violence during the public holiday would be seen as a serious sign of disrespect. A huge portrait of the monarch had been erected at Democracy Monument near the capital's Grand Palace, where the tub-thumping speeches of a month-long anti-government rally temporarily gave way to cheerful celebrations. Hundreds gathered to watch the official birthday ceremony on big screens, cheering loudly at the appearance of the king, the world's longest-serving monarch. But demonstrators, who erupted into angry jeers when Yingluck appeared on screen, were insistent that they had not abandoned their fight to oust the government. "Tomorrow we will protest," said Khieu, who gave only one name and sported a large, neon yellow "We Love the King" headband. "I will come back until we win victory for the Thai people," she added. Police fired tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon to repel protesters trying to occupy key ministries in the unrest at the weekend, which left five dead and over 200 injured. The demonstrators, who still occupy the finance ministry and a key government complex on the outskirts of Bangkok, want to suspend the country's democracy in favour of an unelected "people's council". Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, a former deputy premier, has pledged to continue the fight to rid Thailand of what he calls the "Thaksin regime". An arrest warrant for insurrection was issued for Suthep on Monday and authorities have called for him to give himself up. Thailand has been periodically rocked by sometimes bloody unrest since then-premier Thaksin was deposed by royalist generals in a coup seven years ago. — AFP |
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