|
Royals from around the world converge to fete His Majesty the King
HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej
the Great, center left, and Queen Sirikit, center right, pose with the
visiting representatives of 25 royal houses from Europe, Africa, the
Middle East and Thailand’s Asian neighbors in the elaborate century-old
high-ceilinged Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall in Bangkok Monday, June 12.
HM King Bhumibol
Adulyadej, right, is congratulated by Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf, 2nd
from left, and Queen Silvia as HM Queen Sirikit looks on at the Ananda
Samakhom Throne Hall.
HM King Bhumibol
Adulyadej, 2nd from left, is congratulated by Belgian Crown Prince
Philippe and Crown Princess Mathilde, right, as HM Queen Sirikit, left,
looks on at the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall.
HM King Bhumibol
Adulyadej, 2nd from left, is congratulated by Cambodian King Norodom
Sihamoni as HM Queen Sirikit, left, looks on at the Ananda Samakhom
Throne Hall in Bangkok.
HM King Bhumibol
Adulyadej, right, is congratulated by Japanese Emperor Akihito, center,
as HM Queen Sirikit, 2nd from right partially hidden, and Japanese
Empress Michiko look on at the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall.
HM King Bhumibol
Adulyadej, right, is congratulated by Malaysian King Syed Sirajuddin
Putra Jamalullail as HM Queen Sirikit looks on at the Ananda Samakhom
Throne Hall.
HM King Bhumibol
Adulyadej, right, is congratulated by Moroccan Princess Lalla Salma at
the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall.
HM King Bhumibol
Adulyadej, right, is congratulated by Monaco Prince Albert II as HM
Queen Sirikit looks on.
HM King Bhumibol
Adulyadej, center, and HM Queen Sirikit, left, speak with Britain’s
Prince Andrew during a celebration in Bangkok.
HM King Bhumibol
Adulyadej, right, observes Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechteinstein
greet HM Queen Sirikit at the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall.
HM King Bhumibol
Adulyadej, right, is congratulated by Prince Henrik of Denmark at the
Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall.
HM King Bhumibol
Adulyadej, right, speaks with Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah at the
Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall in Bangkok.
Britain’s Prince Andrew,
left, walks with Luxembourg Grand Duke Henri as they arrive for
ceremonies Monday, June 12, at the Thai Navy headquarters in Bangkok.
(AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong, Pool)
Swaziland’s King Mswati
III, right, walks along with HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn as he
arrives at a military airport in Bangkok, Sunday, June 11. (AP
Photo/Vincent Thian)
Rhythmic chants echoed over Bangkok’s Chao Phraya
River Monday as royalty from around the world watched a spectacular
procession of gilded, hand-rowed boats honoring HM King Bhumibol
Adulyadej the Great, the world’s longest-reigning monarch.
Representatives of 25 royal houses from Europe, Africa, the Middle East
and Asia watched from a riverside pavilion as the vessels - bows adorned
with figures of serpents, swans, a seven-headed dragon and other
creatures - rolled by.
As the sun broke through what had been an overcast day, the boats’ bows
glinted and the boat crews rowed to a haunting call-and-response song
written to honor the king.
Monday’s procession was just the 15th since HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej
ascended the throne in 1946, but it belongs to a 300-year old tradition.
Royal Barge processions have marked coronations, Buddhist religious
ceremonies and secular holidays.
HM the King, a constitutional monarch, has used his strong prestige
during political crises to pressure opposing parties to compromise, and
is credited with helping keep Thailand more stable than many of its
Southeast Asian neighbors.
Many Thais are counting on him to pull the country through its current
political crisis, which has left it with no functioning legislature and
only a caretaker government after a divisive, inconclusive election.
HM the King was born on December 5, 1927, in Cambridge, Massachusetts,
where his father Prince Mahidol was studying medicine. He became the
ninth King of Thailand’s Chakri Dynasty on June 9, 1946, succeeding his
older brother HM King Ananda.
Since then, the beloved King has reigned through a score of governments,
democratic and dictatorial. He has taken an especially active role in
rural development.
On Friday, an estimated 700,000 of his countrymen thronged the streets
around Bangkok’s Royal Plaza to hear him deliver a rare public address
in which he called for national unity.
He echoed that call Monday, when he hosted a reception for the royal
visitors.
“The responsibility to preserve the nation does not belong to any
particular person but to all Thais who must do their utmost to develop
the country and make it prosperous, stable and peaceful,” he said.
“Therefore, I, as a Thai, have the same responsibility as all Thais do.”
A grand formal reception before the barge show saw the foreign royals
escorted country by country to be welcomed by 78-year-old HM the King
and members of his family.
Those not wearing ceremonial uniforms or Western formal wear donned
national costumes, from Arab dignitaries’ flowing white garb to the
orange robe worn across one shoulder by the Crown Prince of Bhutan.
Royal wives wore elaborately tailored gowns, and several had tiaras atop
their heads.
Greetings on the reception line ranged from curtseys and bows to
hand-kissing and extended handshakes. Spain’s Queen Sophia unexpectedly
pecked HM the King on the cheek as she greeted him.
The setting, a high-ceilinged hall, was as elaborate as the guests’
attire. Designed by Italian architects and built in the early years of
the last century, the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall has a huge dome and
cathedral-like atmosphere.
The visitors heard a short speech by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra,
who said the king “has inspired the people to join hands for the
country’s betterment” with his moral authority and commitment to
democracy, peace, justice and national harmony.
“This unifying role has enabled Thailand to move forward for the past 60
years and will propel its further progress as a constructive member of
the international community in the years to come,” Thaksin said.
On Tuesday, HM the King and Queen Sirikit hosted a lavish banquet for
royalty from 25 countries to close out the five-day gala celebration.
Lobster and other delicacies, including produce from farming projects
sponsored by HM the King, reportedly featured in the five-course dinner
at Bangkok’s royal palace.
The royal guests come from Cambodia, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Japan,
Brunei, Malaysia, Monaco, Luxembourg, Lesotho, Swaziland, Sweden,
Liechtenstein, Denmark, Tonga, Norway, the Netherlands, Bahrain,
Belgium, Bhutan, Morocco, Spain, United Arab Emirates, the United
Kingdom and Oman.
Story by Grant Peck
The Associated Press
Photos/Thailand Public Relations Department, HO
A look at the world’s longest-serving living monarchs
The Associated Press
A look at the world’s longest-serving living monarchs, in
descending order.
- Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 78, has reigned since 1946
- Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, 80, ascended to the throne in
1952
- Samoa’s King Malietoa Tanumafili II, 93, has ruled since 1963
- Tonga’s King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV, 87, has reigned since 1965
- Brunei’s Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, 59, has reigned since
1967
- Oman’s Sultan Qaboos ibn Sa’id, 65, has ruled since 1970
- Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II, 66, has reigned since 1972
- Bhutan’s King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, 50, has reigned since
1972
- Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf, 60, has reigned since 1973
- Spain’s King Juan Carlos, 68, ascended to the throne in 1975
- Netherlands’ Queen Beatrix, 68, ascended to the throne in 1980
- Swaziland’s King Mswati III, 38, ascended to the throne in
1986
- Japan’s Emperor Akihito, 72, ascended to the throne in 1989
- Liechtenstein’s Prince Hans-Adam II, 61, ascended to the
throne in 1989
- Norway’s King Harald V, 69, ascended to the throne in 1991
- Belgium’s King Albert II, 72, has reigned since 1993 |
Pattayans turn out in thousands to honor HM the King
City shines bright with yellow shirts
Schools performed Thai dance in honor of HM
the King.
Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn presided
over the ceremonies where many placed flowers in front of HM the King’s
picture.
In the morning, residents took part in a tak
baht ceremony.
Pattaya Mail Reporters
Pattaya’s streets and beaches were a scene of great rejoicing last
Friday as an estimated 10,000 people turned out to celebrate and pay
their respects to His Majesty the King on the 60th anniversary of his
accession to the throne.
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great is the longest reigning
monarch in the world, having ascended the throne on June 9, 1946, and he
is also the longest reigning monarch in Thai history.
 Fireworks
lit up the night sky during the celebrations.
Over the decades His Majesty has reigned fairly and justly in accordance
with the 10 Buddhist precepts of a monarch, which has earned him the
love and respect of all Thai people.
Royalty and dignitaries from around the globe attended ceremonies in
honor of the King.
In Pattaya, residents and members of the government and private sectors
prepared for the auspicious day at a number of locations around the
city. Ceremonies began from 7 a.m. in front of the Banglamung district
office, merit making and religious ceremonies were carried out with 69
monks receiving alms. Several other places in Pattaya carried out merit
making and the giving of alms, with large numbers of people wearing
yellow shirts in honor of His Majesty.
Supakit Thamasatiman, Banglamung district chief led the ceremonies at
the district office, with Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn, city
officials, administrators and councilors joining him.
At 9.09 a.m. Soi 13 Naklua was the site for tree planting, a joint
activity between city hall and Arkson schools group. Mayor Niran
presided over the formalities for the planting of 390 trees in the area
carried out by students, teachers and administrators.
Activities occurred throughout the day, and in the afternoon nearly
10,000 residents, children, visitors and tourists joined a parade from
the Royal Garden Plaza to Bali Hai Pier for yet more celebrations and
lighting of candles.
Throughout the day all those attending the various festivities and
celebrations made an earnest and mindful effort to pay their respects to
their beloved King who has ruled so wisely over the past six decades,
and who has a special place in the heart of every Thai person.
Members of the government and private
sectors joined the general public and tourists wearing the bright yellow
shirts in honor of the king.
Around 10,000 people took part in the candle
lighting ceremony in honor of the nation’s father.
Pol. Col. Ittipol Ittisanronachai,
superintendent of Pattaya Immigration Police (2nd left) joined the
thousands of people lighting candles in honor of HM the King.
Students, teachers and city administrators
planted 390 trees in the Soi 13 Naklua area in honor of HM the King.
Pattaya Mail Publishing Co., Ltd., joined in
the auspicious celebration of His Majesty’s 60th year as Thailand’s
monarch.
Silverlake possessed, by Bill Bruford’s Earthworks
Bill Bruford’s Earthworks with Tim Garland
perform live at Silverlake.
Caspian Pike
On another sultry evening, the final part of an imaginative,
innovative, often effervescent and always hugely enjoyable trilogy of
Silverlake Jazz experiences once again pulled in an enthusiastic and
knowledgeable audience from all around the region, to hear Bill
Bruford’s ‘Earthworks’, featuring Tim Garland.
There was an air of incredulity about Silverlake as the afternoon’s
deluge miraculously gave way to a comfortably warm evening of meditative
stillness. Dampness clung to the air like a moisturiser and added a
surreal sheen to a grand piano, spot lit and standing alone, like a big
black panther, waiting for its moment. Its contours resonated with the
landscape, its gleaming ivory shone like incisors. There’s something
monumental about a grand piano, something reassuring and powerful. They
are truly awesome pieces of machinery, a fusion of architectural
engineering and artistic ingenuity. All that eulogising over a piano, I
mused, when Bill Bruford is a consummate drummer!
 Bruford’s
powerful and subtle mix of rhythms kept the audience captivated
My reverie was willingly interrupted by a familiar groove. ‘Bangkok
Connection’ had once again taken a break from the Saxophone Pub in
Bangkok and were relishing a sensational weekend in the countryside,
soothing and nurturing the crowd’s increasing anticipation. After all,
Bill Bruford’s a massive name. Tim Garland’s a massive name. Laurence
Cottle is a world renowned bassist and Gwilym Simcock is a classically
trained (you can tell) magician of a pianist.
Marc Bolam, director of ‘Enlightened Planet’, spoke of his pleasure at
bringing such world class musicians to Pattaya and of his plans for the
future. For Silverlake, this is just the beginning.
Surachai Tangjaitrong and his enchanting wife, Suphansa, whose
Silverlake dream has become such emphatic reality, agreed. The dry
season, towards the end of the year, is when the Jazz world will most
likely be queuing up to play Silverlake, improvising a score already
written by ‘Saxman’ and Billy Cobham. This trilogy has been but a mouth
watering appetiser of what is to follow.
I suggested to Marc Bolam that their fortune in avoiding the torrents
during all three open air performances suggested some celestial
appreciation of Jazz. It had been remarkable, he agreed, that the rain
had fallen only in between and not on top of sound tests and gigs.
Embedded in the amphitheatre, it became immediately obvious that
‘Earthworks’ were having a great time. A racing rhythm was set by the
saxophone of Tim Garland whose instrument became an extension of his
body and soul, whilst Lawrence Cottle, guarding the stage with the gait
of a British Bobby and with a build to match, patrolled the beat of the
baseline with considerable aplomb.
My senses were arrested by Gwilym Simcock’s utterly fluid control of the
grand piano. Perhaps mischievously, it struck me that the electrical
force of the day’s storms may have infiltrated his stool; such was the
violence of his apparently involuntary and regular levitations from it.
In truth, it was the other way around. It was the music which was
electrifying him, surging through his body and pouring out of his
fingertips.
And there was Bill Bruford, looking a little bit like a librarian,
making and keeping perfect time. His hands were simultaneously relaxed
as sleeping babies and blurring, whirring blizzards of speed, an
oxymoron of dizzying nonchalance, and a vision of languid dexterity.
“Lord Bless Ya!” announced Billy Bruford, acknowledging the rapturous
applause. He held up a Log Drum, and described the qualities of this
African instrument which resembles a box, before inducing a passion play
from it; “Speaking with Wooden Tongues”. He’s been around, has Billy
Bruford, and it became apparent that wherever he has been, he has drawn
inspiration from his physical, spiritual or musical travels. A true
global citizen if ever there was one, his songs came from places as far
flung as the Highlands of Scotland and Senegal and Sierra Leone.
Then he went a stage further and fused more than one place with another.
Brazil and Bulgaria for example, came together in a harmonic samba. I
listened out for the Highlands and they were there for sure, just as it
was possible to detect the scent of Morocco on the winds of a song
inspired by Andalusia.
Tim Garland, who made his name playing with Chick Corea, is engrossing
and energetic and is a man who plays with a romantic, poetic air and a
freedom from inhibition which perhaps reflects his love of poetry. He’s
incredibly versatile. When he wasn’t flying through the air on jazz
flute, bass clarinet or any number of saxophones, he was coaxing the
beat through the heat with a rhythm stick.
Sometimes, Earthworks took us down from their dizzy heights and
serenaded us with melodic, reflective ballads. Tim Garland’s sax cried
out in rapture, as Gwilym Simcock caressed and touched, softly. Such a
piece was Simcock’s simple, ‘Song’, a work of wonderful contemplation.
Another was, ‘It needn’t end in tears’. Both Garland and Simcock came
into their own here, becoming as Peter Bacon of the Birmingham Post
noted, “Happy squatters in that vacant space where easily accessible
composition and clearly recognisable instrumental virtuosity still mean
something.”
A rousing finale brought an end, too soon. But the crowd wouldn’t let
them go. So it was back on board for ‘Beelzebub’, one of Bruford’s
earliest compositions. I happened to have a perfect view of Bruford’s
hands at work on this and it was marvellous. As momentum gathered, it
was as if all the attention of every eye in the audience was focussed on
the same place. He had drawn us in. We were transfixed now. Pulsating,
punishing, powerful strokes, unrelenting, undulating, throbbing.
Possessed indeed.
Then, suddenly it was over and Bill Bruford, as cool as a drop of dew,
with a shrug and a smile, was done. We were released from our trance.
Yet, as Mr. Bruford, clearly a man far more interested in his music than
the fame it has brought him, diverted acclaim to the Earthworks, it was
as if the sounds of the night had melted into the atmosphere and it was
clear that the taste of another glorious evening would linger long into
the night.
|
