New King to visit Thai South

BANGKOK, December 7 (TNA) - His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun is scheduled to visit Krabi Province in the Thai South on December 9, his first trip to visit upcountry people after he took the throne recently. Local officials are, thus, building and decorating a pavilion in front of the Krabi Provincial Hall to welcome His Majesty the King, who will preside over a ceremony to open the new Provincial Hall during his visit to the southern resort province. Krabi Governor Pinit Boonlert told reporters on Wednesday that people in Krabi and nearby provinces feel gratitude to His Majesty’s kindness to grant the first public audience after he took the throne and to allow people to observe his royal grace. On the occasion, Krabi Province will present a model of the Huatong long-tailed boat, a symbol of the province, to His Majesty. The boat model, named “Pakasai”, was made by a local group of Hua Tong boat producers in Muang district. Besides, a basket of local community-based products under the Thai government-supported One Tambon, One Product (OTOP) Scheme will also be presented to His Majesty, including Hom Thong bananas, brown rice and 10 lobsters. People, who will come to receive His Majesty, are advised to dress in polite mourning attires. (TNA)