Thailand hosts alms-giving to celebrate king’s birthday

BANGKOK, July 28 (TNA) – Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and government officials attended an alms-giving ceremony to mark the 65th birthday of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn on Friday. Military top brass, high-ranking police officials, and members of the public also took part in the religious ceremony at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok on Friday morning. All of the attendees wore white clothes and a black ribbon to celebrate HM King Vajiralongkon’s birthday, as well as to mourn for the passing of his father, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The late King Bhumibol, who ruled for seven decades and was widely respected across Thailand, died at the age of 88 in October. He became the world’s longest-reigning monarch. Prime Minister Prayut, accompanied by his wife Naraporn Chan-o-cha, gave alms to 651 Buddhist monks from different temples inside and outside Bangkok. Similar mass alms-offerings were also hosted in the provinces across the kingdom to honor the monarch. The Thai leader then proceeded to the Grand Palace to sign a well-wishing book for the king on the occasion of his birthday. (TNA)