Mayor
Itthiphol Kunplome leads Pattaya’s citizens in the candlelight ceremony.
Students
from Pattaya School #8 perform a daring show at Bali Hai.
Around
2,000 people from the Royal Thai Navy along with community development
groups and residents of Sattahip dressed in pink shirts for birthday
ceremonies at the beach there.
Thousands of people dressed in pink light candles and show their love for
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Fireworks light up the night sky with a dazzling display above Pattaya Bay.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
From housewives in pink shirts to leading public
officials, from prison inmates to even elephants, it seemed all of Chonburi
turned out to join the rest of the Kingdom in celebrating HM the King’s
Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 83rd birthday.
The Dec. 5 Father’s Day holiday was celebrated with grand
fireworks at Bali Hai Pier, a Beach Road parade, free health checks, alms
giving, and song. Even prison inmates enjoyed the occasion, with 84 Sattahip
area convicts released to the care of the Sattahip Naval Base so they could
spend time with their fathers.
In Pattaya, the beachfront was flooded in a sea of pink,
with people wearing shirts denoting the color of the weekday His Majesty was
born. They then marched in rhythm and song down Beach Road to Bali Hai Pier,
where thousands turned out for the city’s largest birthday party.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome and top city officials joined
police, students, merchants and others in signing the royal anthem before
the mayor laid offerings at the foot of a towering portrait of HM the King.
Candles were lit at the auspicious time of 19:09 for the 9th monarch of the
Chakri Dynasty. And the crowd broke out in song again as fireworks lit up
the sky.
It was hardly Pattaya’s only celebration, with special
events beginning early at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, which offered free
checkups, to evening parties at the newly opened Hilton Pattaya Hotel.
Elephants at Nong Nooch Tropical Garden even joined in, with 40 of the giant
beasts taking part in a blessing ceremony and tree-planting activity.
In the Sattahip area, Plutaluang Mayor Thaweep Taengkaew
joined Royal Thai Navy officers in giving alms to 84 monks from 84 temples
to mark the start of HM the King’s 84th year. Similar merit-making
activities were also held at Luang Por Eee and Raj Samakee temples.
The Navy staged numerous events, with Adm. Narong
Tessawisarn honoring HM the King with community development groups and about
1,000 enlisted personnel in front of the Royal Thai Fleet Club in Sattahip.
A monk
leads the ‘tod pha pa’ recycling
merit making ceremony at Wat Raj Samakee in Sattahip.
Chonburi
Governor Wichit Chatpaisit, along with family, friends
and constituents present alms to local monks.
People
in Plutaluang make merit by donating alms to 84 monks.
Sattahip
faithful go to Wat Luang Por Hee
to make merit on HM the King’s birthday.
Burapha
University held healthy walking and jogging events in honor
of HM the King on this special occasion.
Plai
Bird the elephant bows down to present a flower garland to a portrait
of HM the King at Nong Nooch Tropical Garden.
Management and staff at the Montien Hotel Pattaya
convey their best wishes on HM the King’s birthday.
Local
students are always a big part of every Pattaya parade
in honor of His Majesty the King.
The
Royal Thai Navy releases 984 turtles to mark the beginning
of HM the King’s 84th year.
2,000
people in Sattahip Municipality participate
in a healthy walking and jogging event.
Pattaya
Mail proudly takes part in the parade.
Bangkok
Pattaya Hospital organizes
a candlelight ceremony to honor HM the King.
The new
Hilton Pattaya Hotel celebrates Father’s Day
with a candlelight ceremony.
84
Sattahip area convicts are released to the care of the Sattahip Naval Base
so they could spend time with their fathers.
