THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: Thais across the country are preparing to celebrate the 82nd birthday of their revered king, Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX), on December 5 and all visitors to the kingdom are Invited to join in.

Amongst the events planned are:

Between December 1 and 7 the Ha Thanwa Maharaj (or 5 December the Great) fair will be held along Ratchadamnoen Road from Sanam Luang to the Royal Plaza with 9,999 decorative lights strung along the route.

Small stages will be set up between the two locations with government agencies hosting a variety of entertainment programs.

On December 1 Brahminical rites will be held to pay homage to the protector God of the country – Phra Siam Devathiraj – as well as to the ancestral kings.

On December 2 the Ha Thanwa Maharaj Foundation, organizer’s of the fair, will host a parade of 1,000 motorcycles at Sanam Luang in honor of His Majesty the King. Demonstrations of age-old ceremonies will also be held, including ‘Tham Khwan Nak’, the traditional celebration for people entering the monkshood.

On December 3, an open-air stage will be set up at Sanam Luang where students from different Thailand educational institutions will perform a range of shows.

At 7pm a musical entitled The Greatest of the Kings The Greetings of the Land will be staged in front of the Government Lottery Office, with pop, jazz, and orchestral music, as well as a light and sound show, continuing through until midnight. The show will be repeated every evening between December 3 and 7, commencing at 6pm.

There will also be a parade of illuminated cars every night, as well as dancing fountain displays in accompaniment to royally-composed music at nine spots and on the pedestrian islands along Ratchadamnoen Rd.

To help continue the work of royally funded projects which assist Thailand’s poor, pink wrist bands will be sold from government booths along Ratchadamnoen Rd at Bt99 (about $US3) each.

At Jetsadabodin Pavilion on Ratchadamoen Rd an exhibition in honor of HM the King will be held comprising display boards featuring royal activities, multimedia presentation, light and sound presentations, and a section where visitors will be able to pen birthday greetings in special celebratory birthday books, as well as get free postcards of His Majesty provided by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

On December 4 the official opening of the celebrations to mark HM the King’s 82nd Birthday Anniversary will take place, with Her Royal Highness Princess Ubol Ratana presiding over a religious chanting ceremony by Buddhist monks to bless His Majesty.

On December 5 HRH Princess Ubol Ratana will preside over a food-offering ceremony to 2,583 monks at Sanam Luang, accompanied by religious chanting and the mass ordination of 53 novice monks.

Throughout the day Likay native musical drama, Thai folk music, movie shows, sports competition and floral tributes offered by well-wishers will take place, while at 7pm Thailand’s Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will preside over a candle-lit ceremony offering good wishes to HM the King.

Between December 5 and 13 the BMA will host a range of activities at the Royal Plaza between 5pm and 9pm, including a 4D light and sound show in the compound of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall at 7pm daily.

In addition to activities organized by the government sector, the country’s private sector will also host celebrations for the world’s longest ruling living monarch, with more than 260 activities scheduled nationwide.

The Thai Government has extended an invitation to every foreigner residing in Thailand, and all those visiting the kingdom during the period of the celebrations, to join in the festivities for this auspicious birthday celebration.

The staff, management, contractors and contributors for Thailand Travel Online wish to extend the warmest wishes to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, King Rama IX, on the occasion of his 82nd birthday. Long live the King!

By John Le Fevre

Thailand Travel News for November 28, 2009