People across the country from all walks of life made merit and took part in a wide range of volunteering activities in remembrance of the much-revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej yesterday, on the occasion of his birthday.
Dec 5 is also Father's Day and National Day in Thailand while The United Nations has declared it World Soil Day in honour of the late king, who was devoted to developing and conserving soil resources.
In Bangkok yesterday morning, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his wife Naraporn led government officials and people giving alms to 500 Buddhist monks at Sanam Luang to pay tribute to the late king.
Gen Prayut later presided over the opening ceremony of an exhibition honouring the universally respected King Rama IX. The exhibition runs until Sunday.
In Kanchanaburi, an alms-giving ceremony was held in front of the provincial hall.
Local officials, police, soldiers and members of the public offered alms to 50 monks.
At 8am, provincial governor Jeersak Phumsawat officiated at a ceremony that saw a tray of flowers placed in front of a portrait of King Bhumibol and led officials and people to sing the royal anthem in honour of the late king.
At Surasri military camp in this western province, more than 1,000 soldiers, local leaders and ordinary people served as volunteers and engaged in activities to mark the late monarch's birthday.
They cleaned up roads, trimmed trees and helped improve the landscape of public areas.
In Khon Kaen, more than 1,000 people and local officials, dressed in yellow, gave alms to 129 monks in front of the city pillar. Yellow is recognised as the late king's birthday colour.
Governor Somsak Jangtrakul later led all participants to pay respects before a portrait of the beloved former monarch.
Maj Gen Somchai Khanpachai, commanding officer of the 23rd Army Military Circle in Khon Kaen, who participated in the event, said he wanted to see all Thais unite on this auspicious day for the growth and prosperity of the Thai nation.
In Pathum Thani, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Phitsanulok and other provinces, crowds flocked to provincial halls yesterday morning to give alms and take part in other activities.
In Chon Buri, Pattaya police and volunteers joined hands in collecting garbage in the city and along its beaches.
Pattaya police chief Apichai Krobphet said this was aimed at paying tribute to the late king while also making Pattaya a more liveable city.
In Phuket, more than 2,800 people participated in the Rao Tham Khwamdee Duay Huajai (We do good deeds from our hearts) activity for volunteers.
They cleaned roads and trimmed tree branches.
Several coffee shops offered free food to those taking part in the activity.
In Hat Yai district of Songkhla, Khao Kha Moo Hed Hom shop, a popular store that sells rice with stewed pork leg, gave away 1,000 meals for free.
