His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej presides
over a ceremony to mark the 64th anniversary of his coronation at Klai
Kangwol Palace in Hua Hin. (Photo courtesy of the Bureau of the Royal
Household)
Prachuap Khiri Khan, May 5 - His Majesty King
Bhumibol Adulyadej has appeared and presided over a ceremony to mark the
64th anniversary of his coronation at Klai Kangwol Palace in Hua Hin.
At about 10.15 a.m., the world’s longest reigning monarch along with
members of the Royal Family left Piemsuk Palace for Rajpracha Samakhom
Pavilion via Phetchkasem Road to attend the ceremony on this auspicious
occasion. Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, however, did not accompany HM the
King to the royal occasion.
As the royal motorcade was passing by, huge crowds of well-wishers, most
donning yellow shirts in honor of the monarch, were delighted to catch a
glimpse of the revered King, waving national and royal flags and
repeatedly chanting “Love Live the King.”
Upon arrival at Rajpracha Samakhom Pavilion at about 10.25 a.m., HM the
King and Royal Family members performed religious rites and a
merit-making ceremony. The monarch, however, did not deliver an address
to the public.
A 21-gun salute was fired in honor of HM the King.
After the ceremony at around 11.05 a.m., His Majesty the King and Her
Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn left the pavilion and
returned to Piemsuk Palace.
His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej was crowned on May 5, 1950 -
four years after he actually assumed the throne in 1946. The coronation
ceremony was performed at the Grand Palace in accordance with ancient
royal traditions.
At the ceremony, His Majesty uttered the traditional proclamation: “We
shall reign with righteousness for the benefit and happiness of the
Siamese people.”
His activities and engagements throughout more than 60 years of his
reign have abundantly confirmed this historic oath.
To celebrate Coronation Day and express their love and respect for the
monarch, Thais from all walks of life across the country are performing
religious ceremonies and conducting other relevant activities at
designated venues.
In Bangkok, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn on May 4
deputized for His Majesty the King at the royal ceremony to mark the
Coronation Day, May 5, at Amarindravinitchai Throne Hall in the Grand
Palace.
The Crown Prince, accompanied by the Royal Consort, Her Royal Highness
Princess Srirasm, arrived at the Amarindravinitchai Throne Hall at 3.30
p.m. He then paid homage to the Buddha image representing the Ninth
Reign and listened to religious chanting by a chapter of senior Buddhist
monks.
His Royal Highness made offerings of gold and silver flowers to the
deity protecting the Throne which is placed underneath the Nine-Tiered
White Umbrella of State. This was followed by the Court Brahmin reading
an announcement on the Royal Ceremony Celebrating the Coronation Day.
The Buddhist monks then chanted prayers blessing Their Majesties the
King and Queen.
