Hundreds of thousands turn out

A sea of yellow was formed at the vast Royal Plaza and on the adjoining roads late yesterday morning when the King granted a grand public audience from the balcony of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall overlooking the plaza. 

The colour yellow is associated with Monday, the day on which the King was born. 

The gathering crowds consisted of people of all ages from places all around the country, as well as overseas. They waved national and yellow royal flags. Many people raised portraits of the King above their heads. Some wore smiles on their faces and others had tears of joy in their eyes. 

 

‘JUST A DOT OF YELLOW’

Although the chance was slim to see the King up close during yesterday’s event, many were determined to attend the historic gathering. 

They preferred to be – in the words of many – “just a dot of yellow” in this human sea, so the King would know how much he was loved and respected. Many arrived at the Royal Plaza on Tuesday and stayed there overnight for the big event.

Millions of other Thais all over the country were glued to televisions during the live broadcast of the event. Postings in social media, meanwhile, were full of the King’s photos and crowds of well-wishers at the Royal Plaza, together with the message “Long live the King”. 

Many others waited patiently along the roads where the King’s motorcade would pass – from Siriraj Hospital, where he has been staying, en route to the Throne Hall. 

They came to express good wishes and catch a glimpse of the monarch.

The whole country seemed to stop for this rare occasion in Thailand’s history, as the royal motorcade turned to the Royal Plaza. The King was later seated on a golden throne on the balcony.

From the lawn below the balcony, HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn conducted a ceremony and delivered a congratulatory statement on behalf of the Royal Family. 

Later, the heads of the three branches of government – the administration, the legislature and the judiciary – read their statements in honour of the King. They were represented respectively by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Parliament President Somsak Kiartsuranond and Supreme Court President Pairote Wayuphab. 

The Armed Forces supreme commander, General Thanasak Patimaprakorn, also delivered a speech of tribute and led the Royal Guards in taking the oath of allegiance before the King.

As His Majesty appeared on the balcony and read his thank-you note, many people shed tears of delight. They repeatedly chanted “Long live the King,” while some shouted, “We love the King.” 

After the King finished his speech, members of the Royal Family gathered behind him on the balcony.

The prime minister was also heard chanting “Long live the King” along with others in attendance.

Her Majesty the Queen was not present during yesterday’s event. The Royal Household Bureau had said in a statement on Tuesday that her health had not fully recovered.

This was the sixth grand public audience granted by the beloved King from a balcony – an event known as Seeha Banchorn in Thai. Sixty-six years on the throne, King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the world’s longest-reigning monarch.

This was the first time since June 9, 2006 – when His Majesty marked his 60th year on the throne – that the King made an appearance before a grand audience from the balcony of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. His Majesty appeared on the balcony of the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall within the Grand Palace for a grand public audience on December 5, 2011, as part of his 84th birthday celebrations.

In the evening, Yingluck presided over a candle-lit tribute-paying ceremony at Sanam Luang, where a variety of celebratory performances were also staged for the public to mark this auspicious occasion.