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thailand : Preparations for His Majesty the King’s 82nd Birthday Celebrations |
 Preparations for His Majesty the King’s 82nd Birthday CelebrationsPreparations have been made for the grand celebrations of His Majesty the King’s 82nd birthday anniversary on 5 December 2009. Many activities will be held for the people to show their gratitude and loyalty to His Majesty.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on October 16 chaired a meeting of the national commission for the celebrations to discuss various activities to be arranged by the public and private sectors on this special occasion. The celebrations are scheduled to start on December 1 and will continue until December 13.
Among the activities as a tribute to His Majesty will be a presentation of offerings, a candle-lighting ceremony, a fireworks display, and public performances. The focal points of the celebrations in Bangkok will be the Sanam Luang ceremonial site, the Royal Plaza and the area around the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, and all along Ratchadamnoen Road. The Ministry of Defense will hold an international pyrotechnics competition. Activities marking this auspicious occasion will be held in the provinces, as well. Government agencies have been entrusted with organizing activities relating to royally initiated projects.
Also on October 16, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the 2009 World Food Day observance at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok. In her address at this event, the Princess said that His Majesty the King works to find science-based solutions to problems facing people and communities. He turned Chitralada Palace into a living laboratory where projects were undertaken to improve the standard of living in rural communities. These projects include livestock development, milk production, hybridization of grains, bee keeping, fish breeding, reforestation, and various food processing techniques, as well as experimenting and promoting irrigation and water harvesting techniques.
The Princess continued by saying that His Majesty also established royal development centers in all regions of the country. The centers function as one great workshop and school for teaching and learning – all for the good of national development. She said that the projects initiated by His Majesty have been recognized worldwide, as seen from numerous awards presented to him. For instance, His Majesty was awarded the first-ever Dr. Norman E. Borlaug Medallion by the World Food Prize Foundation.
Since His Majesty the King entered Siriraj Hospital for treatment for inflammation of the lungs and rehabilitation on September 19, more than half a million people have signed get-well books at the hospital, wishing His Majesty a quick recovery. Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn said that His Majesty’s condition is good and that his health is no longer a cause for concern.
Countless people living in rural remote areas have sent postcards with written messages for His Majesty’s speedy recovery. The Thailand Post has delivered the postcards to the Royal Household Bureau, which would convey the messages to His Majesty.
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