KING'S BIRTHDAY

Sanam Luang will be a sea of yellow tonight

Crowd of up to one million anticipated for candle-lighting

Millions of yellow-clad Thais across the nation will come out in full force today to celebrate the 79th birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The beloved monarch was born on a Monday, a day associated with the colour yellow.

In Bangkok alone, about one million well-wishers are expected to swarm at Sanam Luang and surrounding areas to join the traditional candle-light ceremony for His Majesty that usually takes place shortly after 7pm.

"We have prepared about one million consecrated candles for the ceremony," said Jarin Suankaew, who heads a foundation honouring the King.

People will gather at Makawan Bridge at 4pm before they march to Sanam Luang later in the evening.

The day will be filled with lots of activities for His Majesty. In the morning, alms-giving rites will take place at countless places across the country.

From 6.30am to 7.30am, the Royal Thai Army (RTA) and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will invite people to sign well-wishing books at Sanam Sua Pa.

At 8am, RTA Commander-in-Chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin and Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin will lead a procession of well-wishers to areas surrounding His Majesty's residence at Chitralada Villa, where they will sing a royal anthem.

"Please wear yellow and join these activities. We can create another impressive memory to compare with what happened on June 9," said RTA Chief of Staff General Montri Sangkhasap.

On June 9, His Majesty granted a public audience to his well-wishers from the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall during which many people cried tears of joy. Hundreds of thousands of people were there when Their Majesties the King and Queen waved to them from a balcony.

When the scene was televised, those in front of their television sets also found it hard to hold back their tears of delight.

The public audience was part of His Majesty's celebrations for the 60th anniversary of his accession to the throne.

According to surveys, the happiness of Thais rose significantly during June and people were very happy to show their loyalty to their beloved King.

For His Majesty's birthday, a big alms-giving rite is being held at Buddhamonthon in Nakhon Pathom. It started yesterday and runs until Thursday. Some 2,549 monks collect alms there.

In Chiang Mai, thousands of yellow-clad visitors packed the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 as they expressed their loyalty to the King.

"We have donned yellow because we are loyal subjects of His Majesty," said Prapassorn Phanpanich, a visitor from Bangkok.

Busaba Voraparp, who came from Saraburi, said she and all her friends wore yellow as a gesture of respect for His Majesty.

At the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek, a performance in honour of His Majesty also attracted huge crowds.

In Chiang Rai, a huge number of people signed their good wishes for His Majesty on gold leaves, which will later be put on a tree and presented to him.

In Yala, about one million aquatic animals were released to freedom as people wished to dedicate merit for His Majesty. Other similar merit-making ceremonies have been taking place across the country since yesterday.

The Nation