Thais all over the country join the candle lighting ceremony on His Majesty the King´s 82nd Birthday Anniversary

BANGKOK, 5 December 2009 (NNT) – Thai people in all provinces around the country, as well as those living abroad join the candle lighting ceremony to pay tribute to His Majesty the King on his 82nd Birthday Anniversary this evening.

The spacious ground of Sanam Luang was filled with pink-clad citizens with floral tributes and candles in their hands. Representatives of organizations and agencies brought offerings to be laid in front of His Majesty’s giant portrait set up as the centerpiece of the function prior to the appointed time of candle lighting and the singing of the “Hymn to the Great King” in unison.

The main coordinator of the event through decades of tributes paying to Their Majesties the King and Queen is the 5 December Maharaj Foundation, a private organization with the support from government and private sectors. The function tends to grow in scale each year, especially on significant years such as the 60th, the 72nd or the 5th and the 6th cycle birthday anniversaries of Their Majesties the King and Queen.

These days almost all Royal Thai Embassies in countries on all continents host the event to coincide with the main event in Bangkok. There are performances, receptions and friends of Thailand around the world to appreciate and enjoy the royal activities which created a unique Thai party atmosphere prior to Christmas and New Year celebrations.

This evening, following the laying of offerings in front of His Majesty the King’s portrait, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva led the gathering in paying tribute to His Majesty, singing the royal anthem followed by the candle lighting and the singing of the “Hymn to the Great King” which reverberated throughout the Kingdom and also around the world. At Sanam Luang the event ended with a spectacular firework display.