Nation celebrates King’s birthday today

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Nation celebrates King’s birthday today

BANGKOK: Millions of Thais turned out in yellow shirts this morning to celebrate His Majesty the King's 88th birthday anniversary with several activities ranging from offering alms to monks, going to temples to hear Dharma, to joining charitable events as a tribute to the King.

Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha led the nation to offer alms to monks at a religious ceremony held by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration this morning at Sanam Luang.

In the provinces, the governors also led local government officials and the private in a religious ceremony to offer alms to monks, and sang royal anthem as the show of loyalty to the monarch.

At department stores across the country, portraits of His Majesty were also erected to give the people to respect and say best wishes.

The King’s birthday is also celebrated as the country’s Father’s Day because the king is considered the nation’s ceremonial father.

Homes and public places are decorated with national and yellow flags and portraits of the king to mark the occasion.

The king’s birthday was also declared by the United Nations General Assembly to be World Soil Day, in order to recognise his achievements raising awareness about soil’s importance.

Events are held internationally in cities such as Rome, New York and Bangkok to promote more sustainable uses of soil.

In Thailand, Thai people traditionally wear the color yellow- the royal color. The color is associated with Mondays, the day of the week when the King was born.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/nation-celebrates-kings-birthday-today

-- Thai PBS 2015-12-05