Thai Government Sets 7-Day Nationwide Celebrations for King's 84th Birthday

BANGKOK, November 24 (TNA) - The Thai government has set this year's nationwide grand celebrations for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 84th birthday from December 3-9, seven days and seven nights, to show a full honour to the monarch. Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinnawatra confirmed the nationwide events for the auspicious royal occasion after chairing a meeting of a command committee tasked with the matter on Wednesday (Nov 23), saying that in Bangkok the officially grand celebrations will be held at Sanam Luang ceremonial ground. Yingluck encouraged the public and all groups in the Thai society to participate in organising various activities from 1-5 December, as part of the grand nationwide celebrations for His Majesty the King, noting that this year's organising of the events to celebrate the royal auspicious occasion will be in accordance with the national situation. The prime minister announced that His Majesty the King will be present at the front balcony of the Chakri Throne Hall in the Grand Palace at 10:30am on December 5 to grant a mass audience to Members of the Royal Thai Family, Privy Councilors, Cabinet members, state and government officials, parliamentarians, international diplomats and the general public. Premier Yingluck also urged people from all walks of life nationwide to join a candle-lit ceremony in honour of His Majesty the King in the evening of December 5, the exact 84th birthday of the king. (TNA)