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Thailand celebrates king’s 80th birthday

By AMBIKA AHUJA Associated Press Writer © 2007 The Associated Press

 

BANGKOK, Thailand — Thais celebrated their revered king’s 80th birthday Wednesday, honoring the world’s longest-reigning monarch with festivities and prayers amid concerns about his declining health and potentially divisive elections.

Tens of thousands of people, many wearing yellow — the color that symbolizes devotion to the monarch — packed the streets around the Grand Palace where King Bhumibol Adulyadej made a rare public appearance from the balcony of his ceremonial Throne Hall. It was only the sixth such appearance in his 61-year reign.

Bhumibol’s birthday has increasingly become a day of nationwide tribute to the U.S.-born king, who is regarded the most influential figure in modern Thai history and the key to its stability.

This year’s celebration was clouded by nationwide anxiety over Bhumibol’s health after he was hospitalized recently for symptoms of a stroke, concerns about his eventual successor, and uncertainty over elections on Dec. 23.

The balloting will be the first since a September 2006 military coup toppled the elected government of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, following demonstrations demanding his resignation over alleged corruption and abuse of power. The military-installed regime that succeeded him has failed to restore public confidence.

The unity of the nation has become Bhumibol’s recurring theme in recent speeches.

“I am glad that everyone has come together in unison to give me birthday wishes,” he told a crowd of well-wishers, seated on a golden throne and dressed in a gold brocade robe.

In his annual televised birthday speech Tuesday night, Bhumibol likened the country’s situation to difficulties he has walking after his recent illness. He now moves about with a walker.

“(We) must be united, like our legs must be united — which means one goes forward and one pushes back before moving forward,” he said. “This way, we could walk without falling. Without unity, the country will face disaster.”

Thais see the king as a national unifier, and his profile has been high during the past two years of government upheaval.

Although he is a constitutional monarch with no formal political role, he is regarded as the force that holds the country together. Bhumibol has stilled bloody uprisings, weathered military coups and has reigned through scores of governments, democratic and dictatorial.

Bhumibol was born Dec. 5, 1927, in Cambridge, Mass., where his father, Prince Mahidol, was studying medicine at Harvard University. At age 19, he became the ninth king of Thailand’s Chakri dynasty on June 9, 1946, after his older brother Ananda died from a mysterious gunshot to the head.

Bhumibol has never publicly commented on his successor, an issue that weighs heavily on Thai minds even if it is rarely discussed in public.

His son, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, has been groomed to succeed him. But the 55-year-old prince lacks the stature and popularity of his father. There is great concern that Vajiralongkorn, who has married three times, fathered six children and for years had the reputation of a playboy, will have difficulty living up to Bhumibol’s record of hard work and diligence.

In his six decades on the throne, Bhumibol has taken an active role in rural development and is respected for his dedication to helping the poor.

The deep reverence for the king was evident in the outpouring of public devotion Wednesday. Thousands jammed the streets and sidewalks of Bangkok dressed in yellow and waving yellow flags as Bhumibol and his family drove from Chitralada Palace, the royal residence, to the ceremonial Grand Palace.

People traveled to Bangkok from cities around Thailand, hoping to catch a glimpse of the beloved monarch.

“I love the king. He has done so much for the country,” said Todsapon Katiya, a civil servant who had waited since 4:30 a.m. “He tends to the poor, the sick, the crippled, the blind. No man has done as much in a lifetime. I want him to stay with us forever.”

Many in the crowd stayed all day, as the royal family traveled twice between the two palaces. A religious ceremony with 81 Buddhist monks was held at the Grand Palace.

“You know they call Thailand the golden land, the land of prosperity, where people live happily without trouble,” said Umapon Pongsawap, a high school teacher. “Many people think it’s just a myth. But it’s true, and it won’t be possible in this modern time without him.”

Outside the palace, one older woman said she had hoped to glimpse the king but could not see over the crowd.

“I didn’t see him at all. There were too many people,” said Chaba Kongchukiat, 84, blinking back tears. “But it’s OK. I plan to come back next year.”

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Associated Press Writer Jocelyn Gecker in Bangkok contributed to this report.

 

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