Thai King calls for national unity, stability

Thai King calls for national unity, stability
Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej Monday called for national unity and stability on the occasion of his 84th birthday.

The King began with thanking his people for their blessings as he made an appearance at Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall to grant the public audience during a state ceremony marking his 84th birthday. He said that the flood, the worst in decades, has prevailed the country for more than 4 months and called for utmost and collective efforts to help flood victims.

He said that the obligation of the government, military and civil departments lies in the pursuit of the national stability and people's happiness. A paramount step to achieve this is to ensure that there is no conflict and no split in the country, the King said.

With many Thais still suffering from the floods, he urged all the parties to put aside conflicts and encourage one another so as to solve the problem as soon as possible. He also suggested those involved in flood relief operations not only to fight against the natural disaster for the moment, but also to keep it in check for the long-run and in a sustainable way. The water-management ideas, he mentioned before were recommended.

The ceremony was attended by Members of other royal families, the commanders of the three branches of the Armed Forces, legislators and diplomats. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Supreme Court President Phairoj Wayuparp and Supreme Commander Thanasak Patimaprakorn gave speeches representing government, parliament and armed forces respectively to pay homage to the King.

Tens of thousands of people have waited since early Monday along the way from the Siriraj Hospital, where the King currently stays to the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall and shouted "Long Live the King". The government is also staging grand festivals for seven days and nights until Friday.

The King came to the throne in 1946 and is now the longest reigning monarch in the world, deeply loved and respected by his people and the international community. In September 2009, he was admitted to hospital for pneumonia and has since stayed there and made rare public appearance.Queen Elizabeth II, the queen of Britain, sent birthday message on Monday to the King of Thailand for His birthday and offered condolences to the flood victims.

Editor: Yang Lina

English.news.cn   2011-12-05 14:17:39 FeedbackPrintRSS
BANGKOK, Dec. 5 (Xinhua)