King Calls For Unity, Asks People To Perform Duties To Best Ability

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King calls for unity, asks people to perform duties to best ability

BANGKOK, Dec 5 (TNA) -- Thailand's ailing, revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Saturday called on his 63 million subjects to unite and called for everyone to work to their utmost ability so that the country could advance further and enjoy peace.

In his terse response to members of the royal family, senior government officials and members of parliament who gathered at Bangkok's Grand Palace to wish him happiness on his 82nd birthday celebrations, His Majesty the King said his happiness could be achieved "if the country prospers, is stable and is at peace."

The king said this could be realised if every sector in the country is determined to perform its duty with utmost wisdom, understanding and sincerity by upholding the people's interests rather than themselves.

"I ask all of you present here and holding important positions in key institutions of our country, as well as all Thais (everywhere), to consider thoroughly your duty and determine to perform your duty to your best ability for the success of the country," said the king.

Saturday marked the third time that the king, the world's longest-reigning monarch, has made a public appearance since being admitted to Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital on September 19 with a lung infection and fever.

The monarch was earlier seen in public twice -- once on October 23, Chulalongkorn Memorial Day, and once on the evening of Loy Krathong on November 2 – both within the hospital grounds after being admitted over two months ago.

Today, he granted a public audience at the Grand Palace's Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall.

After the brief ceremony at the Throne Hall, His Majesty the King returned to Siriraj Hospital.

Dressed in a white royal uniform and accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit and members of the royal family later left the Grand Palace to return to the hospital in a motorcade as crowds of people lined the streets cheering "Long Live the King".

The remarks by King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who has been on the throne 63 years, on the occasion of his birthday celebrations came amid a sharp divisiveness in the country following a bloodless coup in September 2006 which ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra whose administration was accused of corruption.

Mr Thaksin, now living in self-imposed exile overseas, is also accused of attempting to change the country's administration from that of a constitutional monarchy to that of a republic, but he denies the charges. (TNA)

-- TNA 2009/12/4

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HM THE KING'S BIRTHDAY

HM the King wishes for peace and stability

His Majesty the King who turns 82 on Saturday grants an audience to his well-wishers at the Amarin Winitchai Thrown Hall inside the Grand Palace.

Accompanying him were be HM the Queen Sirikit, HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, HRH Princess Chulabhorn Valayalaksana and HRH Princess Srirasmi.

On behalf of the Royal Family, the Crown Prince officially wished His Majesty a happy birthday.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Parliament President Chai Chidchob will also convey best wishes to the King on the occasion of his birthday.

HM the King then said that he hoped for peace and stability in the country. "My happiness would derive from peace, stability and prosperity of the country."

He called for the audience which comprised the government and high ranking officials to work at their utmost efforts to develop the country. Ones should work for the sake of the country not for their own benefits.

After the ceremony, HM the King returned to Siriraj Hospital

Earlier HM the King left Siriraj Hospital at about 10.30am. Crowds queued from the hospital to the Grand Palace to catch a glimpse of the beloved monarch.

Most of them clad in pink or yellow shirts lined up around Sanam Luang and in front of the Pimolrat Gate of the Royal Palace and repeatedly shouted "Long Live the King" as His Majesty passed them in a van.

Many were seen crying happily when they had a glimpse of His Majesty who left the Siriraj Hospital to preside a royal ceremony at the Royal Palace

His motorcade traveled from the hospital via the Arun-Amarin Road, Phra Pinklao Bridge, Rajdam-noen Nai Avenue and Na Phra Lan Road to enter the Grand Palace through the Wises Chaisri Gate.

-- The Nation 2009/12/5

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Thai peace is my happiness, says HM

By THE NATION ON SUNDAY

Published on December 6, 2009

As millions nationwide celebrate the King's birthday, His Majesty reminds them to perform their roles and duties with integrity, and to the best of their ability

It has been called "Father's Day" for good reason, but yesterday the reason became resoundingly clear.

As the nation stood still for almost one hour to witness and cherish another historic moment of the monarchy and the country, something powerful seemed to be actively at work beneath the stillness.

The bonding that may have been taken for granted and the heavily tested sense of who we are, reasserted themselves to make a strong rallying cry for troubled Thailand to stop and think.

The Grand Audience, or Maha Samakom, at the Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall inside the Grand Palace looked ceremonial at best until His Majesty the King reminded everyone that all the wishes for happiness and prosperity could only come true when Thai citizens "clearly understand" their roles and duties and perform them with integrity, unwavering commitment and to the best of their ability.

He has been saying that for decades, but his soft but determined voice this time greatly reinforced the message. The beloved monarch has been sharing with all Thais the country's highs and lows.

Yesterday, he thanked HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Parliament President Chai Chichob for the "heartfelt" birthday wishes from them and people they represented, but all the high-ranking officials, former senior officials, parliamentarians and Royal Family members who were inside the hall as well - as the millions who watched on TV - were told unequivocally what made His Majesty happy.

"My happiness will occur when our country prospers, is stable and peaceful," he said in his first public appearance outside Siriraj Hospital in more than two months.

The speech was brief, but it seemed to cover everything a father wants to say to his fighting children. It was uttered with a kind look, although, characteristically perhaps, what was absent was a smile. His convoy departed Siriraj Hospital around noon, more than an hour later than the initial schedule.

Flag-waving Thais - many of them wearing pink for the King's good health - lined the route to the Grand Palace, shouting "Long Live Your Majesty" when his gold-coloured van went past. The monarch and Her Majesty the Queen raised their hands constantly to greet them.

Many had tears in their eyes. Other Royal Family members also accompanied the King from the hospital.

They included the Crown Prince, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, HRH Princess Chulabhorn Valayalaksana and HRH Princess Srirasmi.

His motorcade travelled from the hospital via Arun Amarin Road, Phra Pinklao Bridge, Rajdamnoen Nai Avenue and Na Phra Lan Road to enter the Grand Palace through the Wises Chaisri Gate.

It took the same route on its way back to the hospital. Again, the father has done his tireless job of asking his children to play their roles, perform their duties and share the responsibilities.

No birthday cake was in view and there was no candle for him to blow out, just a golden, majestic attire that carried the greatest responsibility of them all.

The grand ceremony, nationwide festivities and the "happiness campaign" could not cloud the simple wish, given in a speech that Thais don't need to read between the lines.

It is clear what makes HM the King, the father of Thailand, content.

It's up to Thais to deal with what doesn't, in order to give him happiness - and for our own sake.

-- The Nation 2009/12/6

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His Majesty's birthday address

Published on December 6, 2009

His Majesty the King delivered the following brief speech to an assembly of the Royal Family, senior officials and dignitaries at the Grand Palace yesterday.

"My thanks to all of you for your kindness in gathering here in order to offer me best wishes on my birthday. Your sincerely selected blessings are for me to be happy and content.

"My happiness will transpire when our country prospers and when it is stable and peaceful. Progress and stability will come true if everyone in the nation discharges his duty with all his might and puts the common interest before his own interest. They shall do that with their wisdom, conscience, honesty and sincerity.

"I ask all of you here who hold important positions in major institutions of the country, and all groups of Thais, to have a clear understanding about your duties. And then set your sights on performing your duties to the best of your ability for the glorious success of this country, which is where you live and make a living, so that it prospers, stabilises and prevails.

"May the power of the Triple Gems of Buddhism and holy deities protect you from any suffering and danger, and bless you with happiness and success."

-- The Nation 2009/12/6

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