Thailand Prepares To Celebrate The King's 60th Anniversary Of Accession To The Throne

[nontharic]

Can anyone tell us where the Royal Barge procession on June 12 can be viewed from? The BKK information office told us that you have to buy tickets---but they did not know where or what they cost. Maybe that is the hi-so option? Presumably we could just find a river-frontage place like the Fort on Phra Athit to watch from ?We will be traveling from now till just before the event, so we are trying to find out as much as posssible in case the main public places are being blocked with scaffolding seats and we DO have to buy tix!

We were not here for the Asean event, so want to see the final procession this time.

Thanks for any low-down!

[Jai Dee]

Topic: Royal Barge Procession to be Held on June 12

Detail: The Royal Thai Navy will hold a Royal Barge Procession to mark the Sixtieth Anniversary of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne.

The Royal Barge Procession will take place at 7:30 p.m. on 12 June 2006 along the Chao Phraya River , from the Tha Wasukri landing to King Rama I Bridge in Bangkok . During the period, monarchs and their representatives from 28 countries will visit to join the celebrations. His Majesty the King and the royal dignitaries will attend the show.

A total of 52 barges will be used in this grand procession, with four major royal barges, namely the Subanahongsa, or Golden Swan, the Anatanagaraj, or Multiple-headed Naga, the Anekajatibhujonga, or Innumerable Naga Figures, and the Narai Song Suban King Rama IX. Oarsmen will come from various units within the Royal Thai Navy.

For more details, please contact the Director of the Public Relations Division, Navy Secretariat Department, Captain Kokiat Pandee, tel. 0-2475-4437, or the Deputy Director, Captain Pasukri Wilairak, tel. 0-2475-5767, or visit the website <www.navy.ml.th>.

Source

[Jai Dee]

Regal Splendour - The Royal Barge Procession

Three and twenty Mandarins of the lowest Order of the Palace appeared first, every one in a Balon [barge] of State…These were followed by fifty other balons of his Majesties Officers...[which] had from thirty to sixty oars apiece...After these came twenty balons more, bigger than the former...Next, the king appeared in his, raised upon a throne of a piramidal figure and extraordinary well gilt...and...rowed by six score watermen... We reckoned in all one hundred and fifty nine, of which the biggest were near six score foot long and hardly six foot over at the broadest place.

— A description of the royal barge procession of 1685 by French Jesuit, Père Guy Tachard

Over three centuries have since passed, yet this breathtaking spectacle remains awe inspiring, not only in its majestic beauty but also the grace with which the fleet of 52 barges solemnly glides down the Chao Phraya River — the ‘River of Kings’.

When the gilded paddles of the principal barge, the swan-prowed Sri Suphannahongse, are raised in unison, it is as though a mythical bird is about to lift from the water.

The other 51 barges, arrayed across the river in what is traditionally termed a battle formation, create a panorama of rare regal splendour. The blare of conches and trumpets, the songs of the coxswains, and the stentorian chants of the paddlers provide the right cadence for the oar strokes, enhance the spectacle, and mesmerize spectators into respectful silence – much as these same rare sounds have done for hundreds of years.

The Royal Barge Procession is the ultimate reflection of the Thai fascination with water, the central element in Thailand’s rites of passage, festivals, and religion. An aerial view of Thailand’s northern and central plains reveals why. A vast silvery labyrinth of natural and hand-dug waterways slices through the lowland plains. Villages hug banks of rivers and canals and draw from them the life-sustaining water that nourishes lush crops and harbours fish, the two staples of the Thai diet. It is along these liquid highways that a variety of water processions have travelled over the centuries.

In descending order of importance, they include:

Coronations

It was only appropriate that a prince travel in the most exalted vessel available to the most important event in his life: his coronation. Although wheeled vehicles have replaced barges, records of their magnificence abound in ancient manuscripts.

A Water-borne Procession with a Buddha image

Since ancient times, barges have carried revered Buddha images. When King Naresuan the Great (1590-1605) rode to battle, the Suphannahongse royal barge bearing the Phra Chai Buddha (Victory Buddha) image containing relics of the Lord Buddha led the flotilla. In 1781, barges transported the Emerald Buddha from Ayutthaya to its final home in Bangkok’s Wat Phra Kaeow. The famous image that now occupies the nave of Wat Suthat was transported from Sukhothai to Bangkok on a raft.

Royal River Tour of the Great Capital

In the former capital of Ayutthaya and also in Bangkok, kings embarked on royal river tours along the moats that embraced their stout city walls. It was for this reason, as well as defensive considerations, that until the late 19th century, no permanent bridges were erected over the moats, and the royal progress on these annual circuits went unimpeded.

The Royal Kathin Procession to Present Monastic Robes

The progenitor of the Royal Barge Procession as we know it today dates from the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai (1275-1316 AD). The Lanna Chronicles note that the King was conveyed by night in a fleet of barges to present robes to the monks to mark the end of the three-month Buddhist Rains Retreat, a ceremony known as the Kathin ritual. By the mid-Ayutthaya period a few hundred years later, these processions were conducted during the day.

By the reign of Rama I of Bangkok (1782-1809), the rite had been combined with those for waterborne Buddha images. As it is celebrated today, the Praratcha Phithi Phra Yuha Yatra Cholamak (Royal Waterway Procession) involves barges carrying the deeply revered Phra Buddha Singha image and the Royal Family to present robes to the monks at Wat Arun to mark Awk Phansa, the end of the three-month Buddhist Rains Retreat in October.

GUIDE TO THE ROYAL BARGES

Source: TAT News Room

[jdinasia]

OK ... I am guilty of posting in here just to remind folks it is coming up

[Jai Dee]

Nice thread bump jdinasia.

I have noticed that there are now a lot of billboards, posters, and temporary monuments being erected in all provinces in Thailand advertising the occasion.

[jdinasia]

me too ... am trying to shamelessly figure out if there is going to be a bar closure during that time period to throw a party

[Jai Dee]

Event Calendar for the remainder of May:

23 May 2006

Minor rehearsals of the Royal Barge Procession at night time

Along the Chao Phraya River, from the Wasukri Landing to the Memorial Bridge

52 royal barges with 2,082 oarsmen. For more information, please call 0-2475-4437.

25 - 27 May 2006

Presentation of UNDP Award to His Majesty the King

Klai Klang Won Palace, Hua Hin, Prachuab Khiri Khan Province

Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan will visit Thailand to present the United Nations Development Program Award to His Majesty the King. The award presentation is meant to honor His Majesty on the occasion of the 60th anniversary celebrations of his accession to the throne this year. It is also in recognition of His Majesty’s unswerving dedication for the better living conditions of the Thai people. His Majesty has initiated many development projects, which have brought progress and prosperity to the country throughout his 60 years on the throne.

26 May - 4 June 2006

Exhibition in honor of His Majesty the King to celebrate his 60th year on the throne

IMPACT Exhibition Center, Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi Province

The exhibition features His Majesty’s biography, his activities, and royally initiated projects. There are stage performances to raise funds for royal charities and souvenirs to be put on sale.

30 May 2006

Minor rehearsals of the Royal Barge Procession at night time

Along the Chao Phraya River, from the Wasukri Landing to the Memorial Bridge

52 royal barges with 2,082 oarsmen. For more information, please call 0-2475-4437.

Source: The Government Public Relations Department Information Center

[Jai Dee]

The Royal Emblem

The Royal Emblem depicts the Royal Cipher of His Majesty the King in a golden yellow colour, the colour of His Majesty's day of Birth. It is trimmed in gold on a golden blue background, which is the colour of the Monarchy, and encircled by diamonds, first of gems, meaning the wise men, important authors of the court, well known craftsmen, important elephants, graceful ladies, valiant soldiers, courtiers. These most distinguished in royal service of utmost honesty are comparable to gems that are diamonds surrounding and honouring His Majesty, who is even more precious than all the gems that are diamonds, being the King who resides as the most precious diamond in the heart of the people, treating their suffering and nurturing their happiness. He is the refuge of joyful happiness to His subjects of different races and religions in His Kingdom.

This Royal Cipher is placed on the Noble Throne of Bhadrapith and surmounted by the Great Crown of Victory and Insignia, which is one of the Five Royal Regalia, surrounded by the Sword of Victory and the Royal Whisk of the Yak's Tail inserted in the back-rest of the Noble Throne of Bhadrapith to the left of the Great Crown of Victory. There are the Royal Sceptre and the Royal Fan inserted to the right of the back-rest of the Noble Throne of Bhadrapith, which is placed on a stand where the Royal Slippers are laid. These together are called the Five Royal Regalia composed of objects which signify Kingship, namely, the Great Crown of Victory, the Sword of Victory, the Royal Sceptre, the Royal Fan with the Royal Whisk, and the Royal Slippers, symbolising the Year of Commemoration of the Accession to the Throne. Below, on pink ribbon trimmed with gold is written in gold an inscription beneath the platform which reads “The Sixtieth Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty the King's Accession to the Throne B.E. 2549 (AD. 2006)”.

The ends of the ribbon are tied by a white ape-man holding one end of the decorative arch which frames the Emblem on the right side, while on the left side, the end of the ribbon is tied by a picture of a Garuda, which is a Garuda with a white face and a vermilion mixed red body holding the other end of the decorative arch of the Emblem. All the background of the Emblem is coloured green mixed gold, which means: the might of the Royal day of Birth and also the prosperity and fertility of the land which His Majesty has reigned over and nurtured most strenuously ever since He acceded to the Throne. Now the great auspicious time has arrived to celebrate and honour the Sixtieth Anniversary of His Majesty's Accession to the Throne, which is the longest that any King has reigned in the royal chronicles of the nation of Siam.

Source: The Government Public Relations Department Information Center

[Jai Dee]

Police are prepared and equipped for the grand auspicious celebration for HM the King

The Deputy Commander of the Royal Thai Police, Pol. Gen. Isaraphan Sanitwong Na Ayutthaya, has reinstructed police officers to be totally prepared for any type of incident during the grand celebration of the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne on June 11th, 2006. 17 monarchs from around the world will attend this auspicious event.

Pol. Gen. Isaraphan said over 700 police officers nationwide are intensively practicing safety drills in preparation for the upcoming celebration. They are also working on the communication process to ensure that they work in the same direction. The Deputy Commander is confident that everything will be 100 percent ready.

The Royal Thai Police and the National Intelligence Agency are working together to track down any report concerning the security of the visiting monarchs. All vehicles in the parade will be closely examined for safety reason, and they will be taken from the Highway Police and Tourism Police.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

Radio Thailand Trat holds a singing contest to mark the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's ascension to the throne

Radio Thailand Trat will hold a youth-level singing contest as part of the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King’s ascension to the throne.

Radio station director Sarika Samma (สาริกา สัมมา) said the objective is to encourage youngsters to use their free time wisely. Contestants, who will have to sing royally-composed songs, are divided into 2 levels, one are those aged between 7 and 12 and the other, 13-18.

Ms. Sarika said the winner of each group will be awarded a cash of 20,000 baht and a plaque. Registration is opened until May 31.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

BMA to brush BKK up with colours in celebrations of the 60th anniversary of His Majety the King's ascension to the throne

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is decorating the capital with lights, flowers, flags and fountains for the celebrations of the diamond jubilee of His Majesty the King’s ascension to the throne.

Ninnart Chalitanon (นินนาท ชลิตานนท์), a BMA director, said the city administration is also building 31 archways along Ratchadamnoen avenue and landscaping areas within the inner Rattanakosin Island and major streets at a cost of 23 million baht. Mrs. Ninnart said BMA will also put up fountains in 17 locations in the city All decorations will be finished in early June, she added.

During the celebrations, BMA will arrange entertainment shows at Sanam Luang and its 16 public parks and set off 20,000 fireworks, she said.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

Commemorative note

Bt60 banknotes issued to commemorate the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King’s accession to the throne can be reserved from June 1-8 and will go on sale from June 9 at banks and the Bank of Thailand for Bt100.

The central bank will issue 9,999,999 of them.

Source: The Nation - 23 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

An ordination of 80 men will be held in Narathiwat in June as part of the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's ascension to the throne

More than 80 men will be ordained in Narathiwat next month to mark the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King’s ascension to the throne.

Boonchuan Buasa-nga (บุญชวน บัวสง่า), director of the Narathiwat Cultural Office, said the ordination will be held between June 1 and 16 at Wat Prachum Thara (วัดประชุมธารา) in Sungai Padi (สุไหงปาดี) district of Narathiwat.

Mr. Boonchuan said he has already asked the police and military to help provide security around the temple before, during and after the ceremony

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

Lampang will hold a legal exhibition to mark the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's ascension to the throne

The Lampang Attorney-General Office will hold a legal exhibition and provide legal aids to the people on June 9 to mark the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King’s ascension to the throne.

Acting Lampang Attorney-General Somsak Sakpiboonjit (สมศักดิ์ ศักดิ์พิบูลย์จิตต์) said the activities will help provide legal knowledge to the people. Apart from the exhibition featuring the work of His Majesty the King, there will be legal counseling on rights protection, settlement of disputes while poor people having legal problems will get assistance free of charge.

Mr. Somsak said a lot of people are seeking legal assistance for disputes concerning their property and inheritances.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 May 2006

[iamguava]

I heard that the procession on 12th June has been brought forward by 2 hours to 5:30pm and the firework and laser displays will not now happen. Cant find any further info, is anyone able to confirm or deny this?

[Jai Dee]

The center to broadcast live ceremonies marking the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's ascension to the throne will be opened in June

The International Broadcasting Center (IBC) will be opened from June 1 to 15 to broadcast live via satellite all ceremonies to be held during celebrations of the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King’s ascension to the throne.

The center, located at Rattanakosin Room within Bangkok City Hall, is where cameramen of different TV stations working together for TV Pool will send in pictures from the ceremonies for relay to radio and TV stations worldwide .

The center, which is also a press center for foreign journalists, is run by MCOT plcMrs. Ngamjit said the fund will be provided to 600 projects, or 10,000 baht for each of them. So far, 172 projects have been approved, she said, adding that applications will be accepted until June 30.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

25 countries will join celebrations of the diamond jubilee of His Majesty the King's ascension to the throne

Twenty-five countries have accepted Thailand’s invitations to attend the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King’s ascension to the throne next month.

Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai (สุรเกียรติ์ เสถียรไทย) said that June 7 is the first day of arrival by the royal visitors and June 21, the last day of their departure. During their stay in Thailand, they will separately visit Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya, Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi, Phuket, Chon Buri and Nakhon Ratchasima, Mr. Surakiart said.

He said arrangements of their accommodations and traveling as well as security protection have already been made.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 30 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

BMA clears floating plants to prepare for Royal Barge Procession

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is clearing the Chao Phraya River of any floating plants in order to prepare for the Royal Barge Procession on the event of His Majesty's 60th ascension anniversary ceremony.

Mr. Apirak Kosayothin (อภิรักษ์ โกษะโยธิน), the governor of Bangkok, stated after boarding a river boat to inspect the cleaning process on the Chao Phraya river banks, that the BMA is hastening construction of water booms sprayed with herbicides to limit the growth of river plants.

Environmental officials are also collecting river plants by hand in order to ensure that no stray plants interfere with the Royal Barge Procession on the event of His Majesty's 60th ascension anniversary ceremony.

Mr. Apirak added that the banks of the Chao Phraya river will also be modified for aesthetic conditions.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 June 2006

[Jai Dee]

Title deeds for 9,999 plots of land to be handed to recipients to mark the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's ascension to the throne

The Interior Ministry will present title deeds issued for 9,999 plots of land across the country on June 16 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King’s ascension to the throne.

Caretaker Interior Minister Kongsak Wantana (คงศักดิ์ วันทนา) said the deeds to be handed out are for the land in all provinces except Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Nayok, Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon.

ACM Kongsak said recipients of the deeds can use them as collaterals in securing loans from financial institutions under the project to convert assets into capitals.

Under the assets-to-capitals conversion project, the Land Department has already handed the people title deeds issued for 1.1 million plots, ACM Kongsak said. About 8,500 recipients had used the documents to seek loans from financial houses which have so far approved 2.1 billion baht altogether for them, he added.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 03 June 2006

[Jai Dee]

Sixty-nine men from all walks of life, including policemen and soldiers, take part in a mass ordination of Buddhist monks to mark His Majesty the King’s 60th year on the throne at Wat Mujalintawapiwiharn in Pattani’s Nong Chik district yesterday.

Source: The Nation

[ovenman]

Does anybody know whether there was a reason why the celebration of the 60th anniversary of His Majesty's accession to the throne is being held in June rather than centered around Coronation Day itself in May?

[Jai Dee]

The Grand Exposition on HM the King at Impact Arena continues to draw a huge crowd

Visitors to the Grand Exposition in honor of His Majesty the King on the 60th Anniversary of His Accession to the Throne being held at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani complex, are having fun with various activities offered in the event.

One of the most attractive activities is for interesting visitors to extend their wishes for HM the King before TV cameras for a recording purpose. The activity is being offered at the Challenger Building. Recorded tapes will be aired on UBC channel 27.

In the recording, well wishers are allowed to use common language as many are not keen in using the official palace language. Many expect that their tape will be directly sent to His Majesty. Public interest seems to overwhelm the facilities as hundreds are making queue for the service.

Another activity which draws a huge crowd is for people to write down their wish on paper Bodhi (โพธิ์) leaves, after which the leaves will be tied to a large Bodhi tree.

Meanwhile, the display of specially-designed water cascades in front of the exhibition hall of the Challenger building has attracted visitors to take pictures for impressive memory.

According to official records, some 3.25 million people had visited the grand exposition during the first 9 days. The exposition will continue until June 11.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 05 June 2006

[Jai Dee]

8 million people have visited the fair in commomoration of HM's 60th year reign at IMPACT, up to the 9th day

The tally for attendants to the fair held in commemoration of His Majesty the King on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of his accession to the throne has reached 8 million people at the end of the 9th day.

Yesterday (June 3) the number of attendants had reached the 8 million mark, with hundreds of thousands having visited Muang Thong Thani throughout the day. Visitors had to wait in a line that extended all the way from the front of each of the venues through the parking lot to the road in front of IMPACT. Before entry into the fair many visitors purchased the book "Nailuang khong chan" (ในหลวงของฉัน) or "My King", which is a collection of pictures of His Majesty's works throughout the 60 years of his reign.

Some visitors wrote their own blessing lines for His Majesty through the special postcards provided by Thailand Post at the fair.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 04 June 2006

[Jai Dee]

A series of activities await all Thais to participate on June 9 in celebration of the diamond jubilee of His Majesty’s coronation

As June 9th marks the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King’s accession to the throne, the day is packed with activities waiting for members of the public to take part as loyal subjects.

At 6.30 a.m. the Governor of Bangkok will lead Thai people in offering food to Buddhist monks at Sanam Luang. After the merit-making ceremony, people are invited to gather at the Royal Plaza, or the Dusit palace grounds in front of the Ananta Smakhom Throne Hall, where His Majesty will appear at 11 a.m. to greet the well wishers and acknowledge their jubilations. Meanwhile, felicitations booklets will be displayed at the Grand Palace for well wishers to sign for His Majesty.

At 4 p.m. the Ministry of Interior and the December 5th Foundation will arrange a grand procession of floral offerings along the Ratchadamnoen Road with the participation of officials and people from all walks of life. The offerings will be moved to the ceremonial site at Sanam Luang where the Prime Minister will lead the Thai people in a candle-lit ceremony at 6.00 p.m. to present their good wishes to His Majesty. The ceremony will be broadcast live on radio and television networks nationwide. A similar candle-lit ceremony will be held at the provincial town halls and district offices simultaneously nationwide.

After the candle-lit ceremony, a wide range of entertainment programs such as jazz concerts and folk music shows will be staged both in Bangkok and the provinces throughout the night. In Bangkok, the programs will be staged at Sanam Luang and 16 public parks while in the provinces, such activities will be held at the provincial town halls and district offices. In Pattani, for example, there will be a contest of folk musical drama called Likae Huru (ลิเกฮูรู) while in Yasothon Province, an international fire-rocket festival will be held.

People participating in those activities are encouraged to wear yellow shirts bearing the emblem of the 60th anniversary celebrations on HM the King's accession to the throne, to show their loyalty and unity to the King.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 05 June 2006

[Jai Dee]

HM the King’s exhibition attracts adoring throng

A woman attending the exhibition at Impact Arena yesterday pays her respects to an image of His Majesty the King.

In a sea of yellow, three generations of Thais thronged “The Exhibition Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne,” at Impact Arena yesterday.

According to exhibition officials, the 10th day was attended by more than 500,000 people, all of whom wanted to catch a glimpse of the revered monarch’s life work.

“This is the second day I’ve come here. It is not often such an event happens and I think it is important that everybody is given an opportunity to see these parts of His Majesty the King’s life,” said Somchai Sivapetchanat, a 48 year-old manager at a Bangkok-based health insurance company, who attended the exhibition with his wife and in-laws.

“You can see by the number of people here today how important the Royal family is to Thailand.”

The event was so crowded that some were forced to park their cars up to two miles away from the exhibition center and take motorcycle taxis to the two halls. The center was as packed outside as it was inside the halls, with food stalls and small stages set up for live performances. There were also tents scattered outside the center selling commemorative items ranging from photos of HM the King to yellow polo shirts.

At one point, the polo shirts, which have become a Bangkok fad over the past few weeks, sparked a bidding war between people wanting to get the last few on sale.

Asked whether recent political unrest was at the back of peoples’ minds while at the exhibition, Somchai replied, “Are you crazy? Of course not. We’ve had enough of all the problems. We now have one month where we can forget about this petty fighting.”

The exhibition takes visitors through HM the King’s upbringing to his latest charitable works. On display are a number of photographs taken by the monarch and performances of the Mahajanaka Grand Musical, which was composed by His Majesty.

“This is a great opportunity for the public to learn more about His Majesty the King’s talents and perseverance to make the lives of Thai people better and to show how much we love the King,” Government Spokesperson Surapong Suebwonglee said in a recent press release.

In its first nine days, an estimated 3.25 million people attended the exhibition, though one event organizer, who requested anonymity, yesterday admitted the numbers have been downplayed in order not to discourage people from attending over what was forecast to be a rainy weekend. The exhibition’s mass appeal has convinced organizers to keep the show running until June 11.

Presentations on the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek exhibition in Chiang Mai, which will be hosted from November to January 2007, were also held yesterday. The exhibition will be the world’s largest display of tropical plants, boasting 2,200 different species, and like many events this year is organized to commemorate the 60th anniversary of HM the King’s coronation.

Source: ThaiDay 5 June 2006

[Jai Dee]

Chiang Mai University will present 14 honorary doctorate degrees to His Majesty the King

Chiang Mai University will present honorary doctorate degrees in 14 fields to His Majesty the King.

Rector Pongsak Ungkasit (พงศักดิ์ อังกสิทธิ์) said the 14 fields are business administration, accounting, law, nursing, medicine, pharmacy, public administration, science, art, liberal arts, education, architecture, veterinary medicine and public health.

Mr. Pongsak said the time, date and place set for the degree presentation will be informed to the university by the Office of His Majesty’s Principal Private Secretary.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 June 2006

[Jai Dee]

Security measures and medical services prepared for visitors during celebration of HM the King's Diamond Jubilee

More than 1,000 surveillance cameras have been installed at various locations in Bangkok to guarantee maximum safety during celebrations of the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King’s ascension to the throne.

Images from this electronic eyes system will be sent to all 88 police stations throughout Bangkok as well as the operations center at the Metropolitan Police Bureau to facilitate coordination of various agencies in security protection and traffic management.

The Medical Department, meanwhile, has prepared more than 1,000 doctors from 30 hospitals and 60 ambulances to provide medical care, if needed, to royal visitors.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 June 2006

[Jai Dee]

List of Monarchs and Their Representatives to Join the Celebrations for the 60th Anniversary of His Majesty's Accession to the Throne

Foreign monarchs and their representatives from 25 countries around the world will join the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of His Majesty's accession to the Throne on 12 and 13 June 2006. They are listed as follows:

12 Monarchs/Heads of State

* His Majesty Preach Bat Samdech Preah Baromneath Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia

* His Highness Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani of Qatar

* His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait

* His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of Jordan

* His Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan

* His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaulah of Brunei Darussalam

* His Majesty Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong XII of Malaysia

* His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco

* His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg

* His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho

* His Majesty King Mswati of Swaziland

* His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden

13 Representatives

* His Royal Highness Prince Henrik, the Prince Consort of Denmark

* His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupouto’a of Tonga

* His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway

* His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander, the Prince of Orange of The Netherlands

* His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman al Khalifa of Bahrain

* His Royal Highness Crown Prince Philippe of Belgium

* His Royal Highness Crown Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan

* Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Salma Bennani of Morocco

* Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain

* His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates

* His Royal Highness the Duke of York of the United Kingdom

* His Serene Highness Prince Hans Adam II of Liechtenstein

* His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Taimour Al Said of Oman

Source: The Government Public Relations Department Information Center

[Jai Dee]

Grand Celebrations for the 60th Anniversary of His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne in June

His Majesty the King has granted his approval to the program of royal ceremonies for the Sixtieth Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne between June 8 and 13.

According to the program, His Majesty will perform a religious ceremony at the Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall within the Grand Palace at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 8.

At 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 9, His Majesty will perform a ceremony to pay homage to past kings at the Thai pavilion, at the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. Later, Their Majesties the King and Queen will attend a tribute-paying ceremony. At 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., officials and the general public will be allowed to sign well-wisher’s books and pay homage to past kings at Prasat Phra Thep Bidon, the Royal Pantheon, within the Grand Palace.

At 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 10, at the Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall, a ceremony of bestowing titles upon 69 monks will take place. Ninety-nine monks will chant blessings, followed by a candle-lit procession in the celebration of His Majesty’s 60th year on the throne.

At 4:00 p.m. on Monday, June 12, foreign monarchs and their representatives from 25 countries will join a ceremony to express their best wishes to His Majesty at the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. At 5.30 p.m. on the same day, Their Majesties the King and Queen and the royal guests will attend the Royal Barge Procession, viewing it from the Royal Navy Institute.

Later, His Majesty will preside over the opening of the exhibition “The King and the Development of Thailand” at the Royal Thai Navy Convention Hall. The royal guests will also be invited to attend the exhibition.

At 7:30 p.m., on Tuesday, June 13, His Majesty will host a banquet for the foreign monarchs and their representatives at the Borommaratchasathit Maholan Throne Hall, the extended part of Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall.

Source: The Government Public Relations Department Information Center

[Jai Dee]

Spectacular Performance and Fireworks Display in Honor of His Majesty the King

The Royal Thai Armed Forces, in cooperation with other public organizations and the private sector, will organize a spectacular multimedia performance and a fireworks display in honor of His Majesty the King, as part of the Sixtieth Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne.

The multimedia presentation and the fireworks display will take place on the bank of Muang Thong Thani Lake, on Chaeng Wattana Road in Nonthaburi Province, on Saturday, 17 June 2006, from 18.00 to 20.10 hours. The program also includes a concert with compositions of His Majesty performed by armed forces bands and a ceremony to pay tribute to His Majesty. The organizer believes that it will be the “show of the century.”

The multimedia extravaganza will be staged with "water screens" on, which video clips and still pictures will be projected. It consists of four acts, featuring His Majesty’s life and work, starting from his childhood until his 60th year on the throne.

The fireworks display will be the grandest ever to have been held in Thailand. It will comprise 5,000 sets of fireworks controlled by a computer system. More than 40 experts from Germany, China, the United States, Canada, Poland, the Philippines, and Hong Kong will help in the control system.

Source: The Government Public Relations Department Information Center