Their Majesties To Celebrate At Grand Palace

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CORONATION DAY

Their Majesties to celebrate at Grand Palace

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Both Their Majesties the King and Queen will tomorrow graciously preside over a ceremony at the Grand Palace to commemorate Coronation Day.

The public is invited to venerate past kings at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha's Prasat Phra Thep Bidorn from 8am-5pm and join a grand street celebration organised by the government that stretches from Phan Fa Bridge to the Royal Plaza. The event runs from today to Sunday.

Kaewkwan Watcharothai, secretary-general of the Royal Household Bureau, said yesterday that Their Majesties would proceed to Amarin Winitchai Hall at 10.30am to light joss sticks and candles for paying homage to their ancestors.

HRH the Crown Prince would offer the four necessities to Buddhist monks before the ceremony is broadcast nationwide at 12.30pm.

His Majesty has instructed the opening of Prasat Phra Thep Bidorn to royal family members, officials and the general public so they could pay respects to past kings from 8am-5pm.

Many activities were scheduled for the grand celebration under the theme "uniting all hearts to express loyalty" from 6pm-midnight daily at the Royal Plaza, said Suriya Soucksakit, assistant to the culture minister.

The Culture Ministry's Fine Arts Department will present two Khon masked dances from two episodes of the Ramayana epic and a stage play of Suwannahong.

The Bunditpatanasilpa Institute will also put on a Khon rendition from the Ramayana's coronation episode as well as other stage performances, which would take place from 6pm-10pm.

A dozen other activities were planned including an exhibition on the 60th anniversary of His Majesty's ascension to the throne and his personal movies, the international cultural expo, the opening of the Rama IX National Archive and the publication of the "Father's Rice" book to mark this auspicious occasion.

The book, in both Thai and English editions, tells the story of Thai rice and the King's works and great mercy for rice farmers.

It will be distributed free of charge to educational institutions, embassies and the public. Call (02) 422 8851~8 or the 1765 Culture Hotline for details.

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Their Majesties the King and Queen officiate at the ceremony to mark Coronation Day

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Their Majesties the King and Queen are scheduled to proceed to the Amarindravinitchai Throne Hall in the Grand Palace on 5 May at 10.30 hrs to preside over a ceremony to make offerings to monks and to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Coronation Day.

The Bureau of the Royal Household said that Their Majesties the King and Queen will enter the Amarindravinitchai Throne Hall via the Theves Raksa Gate at 10.30 hrs after which His Majesty the King will light ceremonial incense sticks and candles, to be followed by chanting of Buddhist precepts and prayers by a chapter of 20 high-ranking monks to bless HM the King.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will then deputize for His Majesty the King in presenting the four necessities to monks who will later leave for a luncheon hosted by Their Majesties the King and Queen.

In the meantime, His Majesty the King performs a ceremony to pay homage to the deities protecting the Nine-tiered White Umbrella of State, to be followed by a Brahminic rite. His Majesty then authorizes HRH the Crown Prince in sprinkling lustral water on the Royal Regalia, the Seal and the golden garuda carrier of the present reign. Their Majesties the King and Queen then depart from the Throne Hall.

At 12.00 hrs, the Army, the Navy and the Air Force will each fire a 21-gun salute in honor of His Majesty the King.

As 5 May marks the anniversary when His Majesty the King was officially crowned, His Majesty graciously grants permission to open the Prasat Phra Thepbidon Castle in the Grand Palace to members of the Royal Family, government officials and members of the general public to pay homage to the statues of the former kings from 8.00 – 17.00 hrs.

The Television Pool of Thailand will broadcast the merit-making ceremony live.

-- NNT 2010-05-05

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Countless activities on Ratchadamnoen Rd from 5-9 May to celebrate 60th anniversary of Coronation Day

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The government and private sectors have joined hands in organizing a 5-day spectacular celebration starting 5 May, in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of the Coronation Day.

Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij, in his capacity as chairperson of the organizing committee, said the government has entrusted the ministries of Finance, Defence, Interior, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to jointly organize the celebration in grandeur from 5-9 May, 2010 on Ratchadamnoen Rd covering a distance of five kilometers.

He said the road, which will be closed to traffic from 18.00-24.00 hrs during the 5-day period, will store a lot of amazing activities from the Royal Plaza to Phan Fa Bridge and further down to the Ministry of Defence near the Grand Palace. Activities include light-and-sound shows, decorated floats and thousands of food stalls. Three major stages have been built at the Royal Plaza, Maha Kan Fortress near Phan Fa Bridge and one in front of the Government Lottery Office where entertainment programs will be arranged.

According to Mr Korn, government offices in the 76 provinces have agreed to set up respective stalls to exhibit the work of HM the King who has travelled throughout the country visiting his subjects and has initiated thousands of projects to raise the living conditions of the rural people.

Mr Korn said all the activities are designed to show the loyalty and appreciations that Thai people have towards their beloved king and are hoped to return some happiness to the Great Father of the Land. The opening ceremony of the 5-day celebration will be held on 5 May at 18.00 hr. There will also be a candle lighting ceremony at the Royal Plaza at 20.30 hr to offer good wishes to HM the King. The closing ceremony will be held on 9 May at 20.00 hr when all the organizing members and the participating public take an oath to do good for the happiness of HM the King.

The 5-day celebration can be divided into nine groups of activities as follows

1. "Royal footprints in every corner of the nation"

This section displays projects initiated by His Majesty the King following his visit to all the 76 provinces. Those projects brought appreciations and pride to local villagers. The people therefore bring goods produced in their localities to the celebrative scene with a hope to bring happiness to people who lack the opportunity to visit their provinces by themselves.

2. "Royal burdens will be carried on"

In this section, 100,000 books entitled “Following the Royal Footsteps in 76 Provinces” will be distributed to those who visit the exhibition on HM the King’s visit to remote areas in every part of the country. Visitors to the exhibition will be each given a passport which, when stamped with all the 76 provincial emblems during the bearer’s visit to each booth, will entitle the bearers to a reward in the form of a commemorative coin printed on the 60th anniversary of His Majesty’s accession to the Throne.

3. "Happiness for happy mind"

Activities include musical performances on the three major stages by renowned singers and actors such as Ad Carabao, Pan Thanaporn, Tik Shiro and Ponglang Sa-on. There will also be cultural shows featuring identities of each region. Light and sound shows as well as fireworks will be displayed to narrate the royal aims and dedications.

4. "The Royal resolutions concerning land, water and air"

This section features firework displays to the accompaniment of music and the light-and-sound show. The show is based on a song called “In my father’s footsteps” composed by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The show reflects royal dedications to the Thai people. Joining in the performance will be famous TV and film actors.

5. "The Bodhi Tree of united souls"

A big artificial Bodhi tree has been built in honor of HM the King and as the landmark of the event. Visitors are invited to write down their resolutions on golden Bodhi leaves saying how they would do to bring happiness to the Royal Father.

6. "The floats of priceless objects"

The floats feature musical bands from the three armed forces, nine elephants’ show and demonstrations of children’s games in the old days, floating lanterns from the North, and floral floats and golden lion's dance show, etc.

7. "Dancing fountains "

This section features the show of dancing fountain to the accompaniment of music, at nine arranged points along the traffic island of Ratchadamnoen Klang Road.

8. "Amazing Fireworks"

The display includes a show of about 5,000 rounds of special fire-crackers along the 1-km long traffic Island on Ratchadamnoen Klang Rd. The fireworks are said to be more spectacular than last December during the 82nd birthday anniversary celebration of HM the King.

9. "The Happiness of Thais under the benevolence of His Majesty"

The section offers thousands of delicious menus provided by numerous restaurants and traders from all parts of the country. This is to demonstrate the unity of Thai people. The food is sold on the traffic islands along Ratchadamnoen Nok Road, from Phan Fa Bridge to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.

It is expected that about 100,000 people will visit the celebrative event each day.

-- NNT 2010-05-05

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Their Majesties leave Siriraj for Coronation Day ceremony at Grand Palace

BANGKOK: -- Their Majesties the King and Queen left the Siriraj Hospital Wednesday morning to preside over the religious ceremony at the Grand Palace to mark the Coronation Day.

Jor Sor 100 traffic radio station reported that Thai people in yellow shirts are seen on both sides of streets from the Grand Palace to Siriraj Hospital.

MCOT reported that the people made long lines along the way to chant Long Live the King when their Majesties passed through them.

-- The Nation 2010-05-05

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CORONATION DAY

HM the King celebrates Coronation Day

By The Nation

Nanthasit Nitmatha...

HM the King on Wednesday returned to Siriraj Hospital after presiding over a ceremony at the Grand Palace to celebrate Coronation Day.

BANGKOK: -- Waving national flags and chanting "Long Live the King," hundreds of people lined up at Siriraj Hospital and along the road from the hospital to the Grand Palace.

Upon arriving at the Grand Palace, their Majesties the King and Queen proceeded to Amarin Winitchai Hall at 10.30am and lighted joss sticks and candles for paying homage to their ancestors.

HRH the Crown Prince offered the four necessities to Buddhist monks before the ceremony is broadcast nationwide at 12.30pm.

Attending the ceremony included Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Privy Councillor chairman Gen Prem Tinsulanond, Army Commander in Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda and other high ranking officials.

To commemorate the Coronation Day, the public is invited to venerate past kings at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha's Prasat Phra Thep Bidorn from 8am-5pm and join a grand street celebration organised by the government that stretches from Phan Fa Bridge to the Royal Plaza. The event runs from today to Sunday.

Many activities were scheduled for the grand celebration under the theme "uniting all hearts to express loyalty" from 6pm-midnight daily at the Royal Plaza, said Suriya Soucksakit, assistant to the culture minister.

After the ceremony, HM the King returned to Siriraj Hospital where he has been staying since last year.

-- The Nation 2010-05-05

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