Plans for HM's birthday

The government yesterday inaugurated state-commissioned celebratory events to commemorate His Majesty the King's 80th birthday this year, while announcing an official end to state functions marking the 60th anniversary of HM's accession to the throne.

PM's Office Minister Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan said four of the five major events from December 4-8 this year involved Buddhist merit-making rituals at major temples in Bangkok.

Diplomats will express their birthday wishes to His Majesty, who was born on December 5, during the final event on December 8.

Dhipavadee said the government had also granted permission to six independent charity projects to take part in the events. These include a project to preserve movies and still images featuring His Majesty and his royal projects, and a project to set free at least nine cattle targeted for slaughter every day for one year.

The minister also said the government was considering relocating Dusit Zoo to a Bangkok suburb in the near future and replacing it with a public park. The relocation plans include a landscape improvement project to further beautify the nearby Chitralada Palace.

The Nation