Excitement runs high as villagers prepare to greet Their Majesties on their visit to Ayutthaya paddy
National flags and yellow flags featuring His Majesty the King's initials have been selling fast in Ayutthaya ahead of the muchrevered monarch's visit to the province this evening.
“I’ve already sold more than 15,000 flags,” Soros Kowsiripaiboon, 60, who runs the Sahaphan Ayutthaya shop, said yesterday.
She said people were eager to buy flags with which to greet His Majesty, who is scheduled to make his first trip outside Greater Bangkok in several years today. Since his admission to Siriraj Hospital for treatment in 2009, he has hardly left the medical facility’s compound.
People across the country, particularly Ayutthaya residents, are eagerly awaiting the trip.
“Locals are buying pictures of Their Majesties the King and Queen, too. Most are looking for the picture that shows Their Majesties harvesting a rice crop,” Soros said.
Their Majesties are scheduled to visit Thung Makham Yong in Ayutthaya from 5.20pm today. During a visit to the site in 1996, the King and Queen used a sickle to harvest rice from a paddy field there.
“I was and am still a farmer in the field where His Majesty harvested the rice,” Tawee Phansua, 59, said yesterday.
He said he was so happy to hear that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, the current owner of the paddy field, would present it to His Majesty.
“I am so glad that I will be a farmer on His Majesty’s land plot,” Tawee said. “I will work on the field to the utmost of my ability to give the crop to His Majesty.”
Tawee plans to stay around the paddy field today to see if he can catch a glimpse of his beloved King.
Another farmer, Narong Mekpraphan, said the “monkeycheek” watercatchment project His Majesty initiated in the area had benefited local farmers.
“Now, we are able to harvest twice a year. We are so happy that our King has cared for his people, including farmers,” the 66yearold rice farmer said.
In Ayutthaya’s neighbouring province of Angthong, residents of Tambon Phong Pheng of Pa Moke district were also preparing for His Majesty’s visit to Ayutthaya.
“We know we may not be able to get close to His Majesty because of the crowds. But we will be happy to be there. We want to welcome His Majesty,” said Amnaj Klaisiri, kamnan of Tambon Phong Pheng.
Locals were preparing the “Foi Thong” (Gold EggYolk Thread) dessert for His Majesty, Amnaj said.
“The gold thread means we wish His Majesty a long and healthy life,” said Ladda Sawangjaeng, 59.
