Coronation Day

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej was crowned as Rama IX, the 9th king of the Chakri dynasty, on 5th May 1950. The anniversary of this day has been observed as a public holiday ever since.

In former times, the accession to the throne of a Siamese sovereign was not celebrated publicly. Only a simple ceremony was held by the court officials, in which the royal title and articles of royal use were presented to the king.

After King Mongkut (Rama IV) ascended the throne and performed the traditional ceremony on 6 April 1851, he issued an edict saying that the coronation of a monarch was regarded as an auspicious occasion in all countries ruled by a sovereign and was joyfully celebrated by the people of the whole country. However, this had never been done in Siam. The king, therefore, ordered that his coronation be celebrated by inviting Buddhist monks to the Grand Palace to chant sutras on the 13th day of the 6th moon and again to be entertained at a feast the next day. This was the first time the enthronement of a Thai king was celebrated.

In the present reign, Coronation Day is observed by a series of religious rites lasting for three days. On the first day, the 3rd of May, there is a Buddhist ceremony at Amarindra Vinichai Hall in the Grand Palace dedicated to the ancestors of the Chakri House, in which scriptures are chanted and a sermon is delivered by a high monk. On the second day, the ceremony consists of two parts - a Brahmanic one and a Buddhist one. The third day is Coronation Day. A feast is given to Buddhist monks and the king is dressed in full regalia. At noon, the Royal Thai Army and the Royal Thai Navy each fire a salute of 21 guns. Later this day decorations are bestowed on officials and civilians who have done meritorious services to the state and society.

-- 2012-05-05

Long may he reign over his beloved Thai people.

God love the King.

Have I ever (or likely to meet him) ... no.

Do the Thai (in vast majority) adore him ... absolutely!

May he live a long and prosperous life ...

King celebrates 62th anniversary of coronation

BANGKOK, May 5 -- His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej presided over a royal ceremony marking the 62th anniversary of his coronation at the Grand Palace on Saturday.

People gathered at Siriraj Hospital and lined up along the street leading to the Grand Palace to catch a glimpse of their beloved King. They chanted "Long Live the King" and waved the national and royal flags.

Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and other royal family members were presented at the Amarindra Vinichaya Throne Hall for the religious ceremony on Coronation Day.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, the House Speaker, Privy Councillors, top military officers and other senior government officials also attended the ceremony.

For Coronation Day celebrations, HM the King granted permission to open Prasat Phra Thep Bidon or the Royal Pantheon located in the Grand Palace--which is normally reserved for the royal family--to the public.

Thais across the country also expressed their loyalty to the monarch and joined in provincial coronation celebrations.

Prime minister Yingluck was scheduled to preside over the Grand Reception on the occasion of the Coronation Day at the Government House at 7pm.

His Majesty the King was crowned on 5 May 1950, four years after he actually assumed the kingship in 1946. The coronation ceremony was performed in the Grand Palace in accordance with ancient royal traditions. At the ceremony, His Majesty uttered the traditional proclamation: “We shall reign with righteousness for the benefits and happiness of the Siamese people.”

His activities and engagements throughout the more than 60 years of his reign have already confirmed this historic oath.

The 84-year-old monarch was admitted to Siriraj Hospital in September 2009 with fever, fatigue and a lung inflammation. HM the King has recovered but has remained at tge hospital ever since, both for physical therapy and nourishment to regain his strength. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-05-05

HM the King celebrates Coronation Day

BANGKOK, 5 May 2012 (NNT) - His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej today celebrated the Coronation Day with other royal members.

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej left Sirirat Hospital with Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn and Her Royal Highness Princess Siriwanwaree Narirat to perform the royal ceremony at Amarindra Vinichai Throne Hall in the Grand Palace.

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej was officially crowned as Rama IX, the 9th king of the Chakri dynasty, on 5th May 1950, four years after his accession to the throne. HM the King, who has been ruling the nation for 66 years, is the longest-reigning monarch in the world today.

As part of the celebration, Prasat Phra Thep Bidon (the Royal Pantheon) is open to the public today from 8 am to 5 pm, to allow people to pay homage to Their Majesties’ August Ancestors.

-- NNT 2012-05-05

Long Live The King!

Long Live The King!

And today is 5/5/555

Please tell me is it possible for ordinary tourist to join Coronation Day celebration, to see some parade?

If yes, when and what time can I see something?

I will be very greatful for any answer