Long Live His Majesty The King

[davyboy]

Happy birthday your Majesty.

I wish you long life, good health and happiness, and the same wish goes to Her Majesty the Queen and all the Royal Family.

[drdoom6996]

Y&es, Yes, Long Live The King of Thailand. Many happy returns of the day.

[Lite Beer]

A post quoting The Bangkok Post has been removed.

[Mario2008]

1 post removed. Please stick to congratulations.

[sunshine51]

Long Live The King!

[pacharaphet]

How I envy those who were able to see his development from a European-influenced teenager to the status he has today. It must have been something. I have only been following Thailand for 8 years and while even then the deeds are numerous, to have been able to live in the time that he thrived.... But since we can reflect on it now, those deeds still carry meaning today.

[webfact]

Thai king calls for unity in birthday speech

BANGKOK, Dec 5, 2012 (AFP) - Thailand's revered king called for unity and stability in the divided nation Wednesday as huge crowds of adoring, flag-waving citizens packed Bangkok for a rare speech to mark his 85th birthday.

At least 200,000 people flooded the capital's historic district, with aerial television images showing a sea of yellow as supporters of King Bhumibol Adulyadej dressed up in the colour associated with his reign.

The king, who is seen as almost a demi-god by many in the politically-turbulent nation, told the crowd that the "goodwill" Thais had shown by attending the ceremony together "gives me the confidence that your kindness is key to bringing unity to the people and the nation".

"If Thai people are virtuous, there is hope that no matter what situation the country finds itself in, it will be safe and retain its stability," said the monarch in his short public address from the balcony at the Anantasamakom Throne Hall in front of the Royal Plaza.

Chants of "long live the king!" followed the royal motorcade as it made its way to and from the hospital where the king has lived for three years since suffering a respiratory illness in 2009.

Bhumibol, whose 66 years of service makes him the world's longest reigning monarch, suffered a minor brain bleed in July, but has since made several official appearances including meeting Barack Obama during the US president's visit to the country last month.

The monarch has no official political role but is seen as a unifying figure in a country that is frequently riven by political unrest, and his birthday is marked by country-wide celebrations, a public holiday and Thai Father's Day.

Any discussion of the royal family is extremely sensitive in the kingdom, where the palace has been silent over the organisation of an eventual succession.

Thailand is in the grip of a long-running political crisis pitting royalists against supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra and the current government led by his sister Yingluck.

The bitter divisions have led to sometimes violent street rallies in recent years.

An anti-government protest last month -- attended by members of the influential monarchist "Yellow Shirts" -- was centred at Royal Plaza and saw clashes between police and demonstrators in the city.

Yingluck was among the dignitaries at the ceremony, as well as most key members of the royal family with the exception of Queen Sirikit.

Doctors treating the 80-year-old queen, who was diagnosed with a slight loss of blood flow to the brain after being taken ill in July, said she was still too weak to attend the event, according to a statement from the palace on Tuesday.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-12-05

[webfact]

Thai King delivers historic speech, appearance before his subjects

By English News

BANGKOK, Dec 5 - His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej today expressed confidence in Thailand's future survival, unharmed, to maintain successive stability given the virtue in the hearts of Thai citizens.

In a nationwide-televised speech during his public appearance at the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, His Majesty says he is impressed by the wishes and oaths given by leaders of the kingdom’s three branches—administrative, legislative and judicial—and the Royal Guards. He thanks Thai subjects for showing up in unison and bringing with them their good wishes and goodwill.

His Majesty says he feels overwhelmed and greatly encouraged at seeing the Thai people assembled before him and strongly believes that the Thai people’s kindness and good will be essential factors contributing to a spirit of unity among the people and within the nation.

HM the King made a historic appearance at the balcony of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall in the Dusit Palace, marking his 85th birthday—officially proclaimed the kingdom’s Father’s Day.

HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn wishes HM the King good health and longevity during his brief speech prior to those given by leaders of the three national branches and the Royal Guards. The Crown Prince and members of the royal family were present besides His Majesty. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-12-05

[asiawatcher]

Anyone watching the TV coverage on Channel 3 would have seen the hundreds in tears on seeing His Majesty being wheeled past them at the hospital, a sense of fear of impending loss due to his frailty. Certainly our family were included in shedding tears and a lump in the throat at seeing Thai's in huge crowds, paying homage to this man. If all Thai's could just come together as one nation and put aside their political prejudices, what a wonderful country this could really become. Long live His Majesty.

[Jim walker]

Happy Birthday your serene Royal Majesty from all your Scottish followers, and may we wish you many more birthdays to come, it’s so magnificent that one person can have such a great revered admiration and respect shown by his loyal subjects and so many people around the world for his dignified wise thinking in this anxious political period in Thailand’s history.

Long Live the King

Edited December 5, 2012 by metisdead
: Arial size 14.

[PeaceBlondie]

Happy Birthday your Majesty, may you and your family have health and happiness.

Long may you reign. Thailand loves you.

[MALJR]

Happy Birthday and Long Live The King. What a great and wonderful man!

[Tanlic]

Anyone watching the TV coverage on Channel 3 would have seen the hundreds in tears on seeing His Majesty being wheeled past them at the hospital, a sense of fear of impending loss due to his frailty. Certainly our family were included in shedding tears and a lump in the throat at seeing Thai's in huge crowds, paying homage to this man. If all Thai's could just come together as one nation and put aside their political prejudices, what a wonderful country this could really become. Long live His Majesty.

Great post, It says it all.

As farang we have seen all this nonsense in our own country and after all the troubles eventually what do they do? Sit down talk and sort it out like it never happened. I sincerely hope His Majesty's message gets through to them and we get some lasting peace in Thailand because as the Cranberries sung "It's in your head" zombie.

Long Live The KIng

[Narratio]

We see the petty bickering of the politicians and all the scandals and "shock horror" events going by. We see the corruption and lawsuits of people who should define morality and lead thier nation to better things and we are saddened, infuriated and bewildered.

But we also see where the true moral compass points, the true leader of 'the little people'. The one person who stands above it all. A person whose words, whose actions, whose life pretty much defines service to the country. The King. A person for whom I and many other expats have nothing but awe and admiration.

Best of birthday wishes your highness and long may you reign over this lovely land.

[skonisa]

we love you

A lovely happy birth day to our KING

[TomTao]

Happy birthday to His Majesty, this the second birthday of His Majesty's I have been in Thailand for, I hope I have the privelage of seeing many more yet. May your Majesty live long and enjoy continued and improving good health.

Sent from my GT-I9003

[sirchai]

Long Live The King Of Thailand And The Father Of All Fathers........

[Yahooka]

Happy birthday Your Majesty.

Long may your reign.

[thongsuknork]

Long Live The King Happy Birth Day

[Camelot]

My hope on the occasion of His Majesty's 85th birthday is that his wise words of advice over the years will finally be acted upon. They contain the solution to many of the country's problems.

Long live the King and long may he reign.

[Seismic]

I have seen his majesty go from a spritely man of 52 to a weaker but still loved monarch of 85. It has always been a privilege to spend time in this country where a constitutional monarch still had such power and could rely on his people. It reminds me of the outpouring of love and affection that was shown to the late Queen mother in the UK on her passing. I am very happy to give thanks on his majesties birthday and pray along with so many for his continued health and wellbeing. Chai yo.

[mccw]

A truly great man.

A visionary with great understanding of nature and Dharma. I believe his sufficiency economy and principles will one day be realised as the best way for Thailand if not the entire world in the coming decades of huge change that lie ahead.

Long live the King!

[webfact]

for more articles please read:

Thailand Live Thursday 6 Dec 2012

News, Bits and Tweets - with webfact

[smccolley]

One thing I noted in the TV coverage - if you look at the King's VW van you can see the tax sticker on it. That should be a lesson to all people in Thailand that the King pays his taxes. He makes an excellent example for rulers of all countries.

[submaniac]

Well, now that the VW van has been mentioned, does anyone know what kind of car that was following the VW? I can't tell if it is a Bentley or a Rolls Royce, and what model it is. I was just curious.