The King of Thailand called for national unity in a wide-touching speech delivered Tuesday at his Bangkok residence, broadcast throughout the country.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who turns 80 on Wednesday, Dec. 5, gives his annual address to a group of cabinet members and senior civil servants late Tuesday afternoon at Chitralada Palace in central Bangkok, while people wearing yellow T-shirts, a color associated with the King's birthday, gathered outside the palace to pay well wishes to the King.
A series of celebrations across the kingdom kicked off on the eve of the King's birthday, a public holiday for Thais.
In his speech, King Bhumibol, in a light grey suit with pale pink shirt and yellow tie, calls for unity among his people, as he did on Sunday during the ceremony of Trooping the Colors.
"If we are not careful, the country will collapse. If the country collapses, where shall we live?" the King said.
The King also emphasized the country's need to boost its spending in light of the strengthened Thai currency.
"Now that the baht is exceedingly strong and the government has plenty of cash, it should spend more. Sufficiency economy means those who have money should spend. There is no need to be stingy," His Majesty said.
He also noted that it might not be appropriate for the present government, which has only a few months in office as the general election set on December 23 is drawing near, to spend on arms and ammunition.
The King was born on Dec. 5, 1927, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States and became the ninth king of Thailand's Chakri dynasty on June 9, 1946.
Last year, the country held a series of grand celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the King's accession to the throne, which made him the world's longest-reigning monarch.
The King enjoyed almost divine moral authority in the dominantly Buddhist kingdom. In times of political turbulence, the King has stepped out to call for unity between sides, which has helped the country return to stability.
The King's guiding force for Thais is much looked upon in a time of political transition, as the country is expecting a new election after being run by an appointed interim government for 15months.
The interim government was installed after a bloodless military coup on September 19, 2006, which overthrew former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whom the generals accused of corruption and causing division in the nation.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article