Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej Birthday

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The King's 81st Birthday Celebration:

On Friday, December 5 2008, the people of Thailand gathered to celebrate the 81st birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX), the world's longest reigning monarch.

As the night drew in, I made my way through the streets of Bangkok towards Sanam Luang (the large green park in front of the Grand Palace) to attend Wan Chalerm, the national celebration to mark the King’s birthday.

Princess Galyanni Vadhana Cremation Rehearsal

The streets surrounding the Grand Palace were closed and had been decorated from head to foot in the golden yellow that is the official Royal color. The area was filled with vendors selling an array of delicious Thai foods, as well as gifts and souvenirs. Many people wore yellow shirts with others wearing uniforms like the army, nurses and the police. The warm night air was filled with a heady mixture of excitement and anticipation for the festivities to come. However, there was a hint of sadness too, as everyone knew that the King was ill and so unable to attend the celebrations.

I joined thousands of people, several waving flags and carrying pictures of the King, and we assembled in the park to watch the traditional ceremony. At the end of the formalities everyone raised a candle and sang the King’s song, with many people also offering up a prayer for the sick King.

Then, the festivities began and the sky was illuminated by a fantastic light show as hundreds of fireworks spectacularly exploded above our heads. From four open stages the crowd was treated to performances of Thai dancing, modern dancing, Muai Thai boxing and a traditional puppet show.

Some what strangely, the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) had decided to use the event to set up several booths selling political paraphernalia and showing the ex-prime minister Taksin on video, which seemed inappropriate for the occasion. Fortunately though, everyone seemed to be able to forget the current political crisis and Sanam Luang was filled with nothing but love and hope for the King on his 81st birthday.

The 5th of December is a very special day in the Thai calendar - not only does the day mark the birth of the Thai people’s beloved King, but it is also National Father’s Day. The Thai’s consider their King to be the 'Father of the Nation' and so since 1980, the 5th of December has been a day for honoring all of the nation’s fathers.