Major events have been planned for “The Celebrations on the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty the King’s 7th Cycle Birthday Anniversary 5th December 2011.”
As a tribute to His Majesty, both the public and private sectors are joining hands in organizing various activities and projects to commemorate this special occasion throughout the year.
The Committee on Ceremonies for the Celebrations, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, met on 18 April 2011 to hear a progress report on preparations for major events as part of His Majesty’s 84th birthday celebrations.
According to the report, a spectacular procession of royal barges will be organized along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok by the Royal Thai Navy in November for His Majesty the King to present robes to Buddhist monks at Wat Arun, or the Temple of Dawn, in a Royal Kathin Ceremony. The procession will start at the Wasukri Landing, near the National Library, and it will take about 45 minutes for the procession to move from the Wasukri Landing to Wat Arun.
It will pass through the Krung Thon Bridge and the Memorial Bridge, or Phra Phutthayotfa Bridge, with a length of 4.5 kilometers. A total of 2,200 oarsmen will row 52 barges in the procession that will take about 45 minutes. A major rehearsal will take place in October.
A grand public audience granted by His Majesty the King will be held at 10:30 a.m. on December 5 within the Grand Palace. Permission has been sought from His Majesty for the use of Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall as the venue for the grand public audience.
All provinces will hold a ceremony for the consecration of water drawn from sacred places and major water sources in regional areas. The water will be given to the Ministry of Interior for consecration again in Bangkok, before it is presented to His Majesty at the grand public audience on December 5.
As a tribute to His Majesty on his birthday, there will be a candle-lit, tribute-paying ceremony across the country. In Bangkok, the ceremony will take place at Sanam Luang, with exhibitions and various performances in and around the area and at Bangkok’s 16 public parks. In the provinces, the ceremony will be held in all Mueang districts, 802 other districts, and 84 learning centers for royally initiated projects.
The Government will hold a garden party in honor of His Majesty on December 7 at Government House. Their Majesties the King and Queen and members of the Royal Family will be invited to attend this event.
Many joyous activities will be held along Ratchadamnoen Klang Road in the heart of Bangkok, from December 3 to 11, decorated with the symbols of all 77 provinces. The activities include cultural shows, a fireworks display, and other international performances sent by various countries to join the grand celebrations.
source from Foreign Office, The Government Public Relations Department