The Eastern Seaboard marked HM the King’s 87th
birthday with jubilant celebration and a focus on the environment in events
ranging from fireworks in Pattaya to planting coral in Sattahip. Shown here,
Pattaya students perform a time honored traditional Thai dance paying homage to
HM the King.
Staff reporters
The Eastern Seaboard marked HM the King’s 87th birthday with jubilant
celebrations and a focus on the environment in events ranging from fireworks in
Pattaya to planting coral in Sattahip.
Pattaya saw Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome preside over the annual candle-lighting
ceremony at Bali Hai pier after the annual parade from Royal Garden, down Beach
Road, through Walking Street to Bali Hai pier. The event was attended by crowds
of city workers, council members, military, police, students, residents,
business operators and foreign tourists. They jointly lit candles and signed
books of well-wishes for HM the King’s speedy return to health.
Government officials in Chonburi joined more than
2,000 Red Cross officials, judges, civil servants, military, police, state
enterprise officers, and residents to hand out rice and dried food to 88 monks
to make merit for His Majesty on his birthday.
Students from Pattaya schools 8 and 11 began the evening festivities with
traditional dance shows to worship HM the King in front of His portrait.
Attendees largely dressed in yellow as Itthiphol delivered the commemorative
speech, then led people in the blessing ceremony, starting with the placement of
floral trays in front of a portrait of His Majesty. Representatives from the
government and private companies jointly lit the candles before everyone sang
the royal and national anthems. Fireworks capped the festivities.
In Chonburi, Gov. Khomsan Ekachai joined more than 2,000 Red Cross officials,
judges, civil servants, military, police, state enterprise officers, and
residents to hand out rice and dried food to 88 monks to make merit for His
Majesty on his birthday. The alms will be donated to ill monks at hospitals, the
elderly, and the underprivileged.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome represented the entire city
in pledging love and unconditional loyalty to HM the King.
Khomsan then gathered at the blessing ceremony, praying to the Three Gems for
His Majesty’s good health and long life.
Afterward, there was an oath-taking ceremony for civil servants and award
presentations to the four “best fathers” in Chonburi, two of whom won national
awards. The other two won the provincial prize.
At Chonburi City Hall, Khomsan placed golden and silver trays in front of a
portrait of His Majesty and lit candles in commemoration of his birthday.
Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organization President Wittaya Kunplome then
launched nine volleys of fireworks to mark the occasion, a total of 2,360
shells.
Rear Adm. Yuth Pijitchumhol, commander of Navy
special combat forces, presides over the Royal Thai Navy’s 13th “Love Samae San
Sea” activity to honor His Majesty on Father’s Day.
Floral trays and candles were joined by elephants at Nong Nooch Tropical Garden,
where park Director Kampol Tansajja presided over the tribute-paying ceremony
and General Manager Pattanan Khantisukkaphan gave a speech to hundreds of
tourists attending the event.
Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens marked Father’s Day with parade carrying a portrait
of the king followed by 19 elephants. Other activities included “Under His
Grace,” a blessing-dance performance; elephants placing flower garlands in front
of the portrait of His Majesty, a baby elephant expressing his love for his
father elephant by presenting the older elephant a flower garland; and
12-year-old Yok writing the words in “Long Live the King” in Thai.
Apichart Thepnoo, Chief Judge of the Pattaya
Provincial Court, places gold and silver floral ornaments in front of His
Majesty’s portrait at Bali Hai Pier.
Yok’s performance came four days after another elephant, 12-year-old Baitoey,
showed an artistic flair by drawing a portrait of the king, as well as writing
the same phrase.
Kampol noted Nong Nooch holds its lavish celebration each year by having
elephants represent the love of the people toward His Majesty and inviting
tourists worldwide to join the festivities.
In Sattahip, the Royal Thai Navy organized the 13th “Love Samae San Sea”
activity to honor His Majesty on Father’s Day.
Rear Adm. Yuth Pijitchumhol, commander of Navy special combat forces presided
over the event at the Thai Island and Marine History Museum in Samae San.
More than 800 people, including numerous military units and private
organizations, joined in the Nov. 28 event that included nine activities.
Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens marked Father’s Day with
elephants placing flower garlands in front of a portrait of His Majesty.
Eighty asexual coral plants were placed off Tien Beach, trash was collected in
Samae San Sub-district, underwater trash was collected at Lhuang Phor Dum
Temple, 88 more coral were seeded in PVC pipes to create artificial reefs, buoys
were set to designate protected areas, 100 turtles were returned to the sea and
more than 100 trees were planted.
Yuth said the public’s dedication to restoring the environment demonstrated
their love and respect towards HM the King and showed unity amongst the private
and public sectors.
TAT Pattaya Director Suladda Sarutilavan solemnly
takes part in the formal ceremonies on Father’s Day.
Noi Emerson represents Pattaya Sports Club at the
ceremonies to honour HM the King.
Students and staff from Garden International School
(GIS) help celebrate HM the King’s birthday by all wearing yellow.
12-year-old Baitoey showed an artistic flair by
drawing a portrait of the king at Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens.
Pattaya students pay homage to HM the King with a
time honored traditional Thai dance.
Vutikorn Kamolchote, president of the Rotary Club of
Jomtien-Pattaya pays his respects to HM the King.
Nutsara Duangsri and Praichit Jetapai pay homage to
HM the King on behalf of the Pattaya Mail Media Group.
Residents of the Father Ray Foundation take part in
the parade.
Local dignitaries pose for a group photo after the
closing ceremony.
Pattaya Tourist Police lead the parade into Bali
Hai.
Bangkok Pattaya Hospital is well-represented at the
ceremony.
Children from many Pattaya schools performed
exquisite dances in honour of our beloved King.
The Lions Club of Pattaya-Taksin was one of many
clubs and organizations to participate in the commemoration.
People express their loyalty to His Majesty the King
by jointly lighting candles and singing the royal and national anthems.
