People across the country from all walks of life made merit and took part in a wide range of volunteer activities in remembrance of the much-revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej today, the late monarch’s birthday.
Dec 5 is also the National Father’s Day and the National Day. The United Nations has declared Dec 5 to be World Soil Day in honour of King Bhumibol, who was devoted to soil resource development and conservation.
In Bangkok on Wednesday 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.
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 Buddhist monks.
At 8am, Governor Jeersak Phumsawat chaired a ceremony to place a tray of flowers in front of the 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 took part in volunteer 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 Buddhist monks in front of the city pillar. Yellow serves as the late king’s birthday colour.
Governor Somsak Jangtrakul later led all participants to pay respects before a portrait of King Rama IX.
In Pathum Thani, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Phitsanulok and other provinces, crowds of people flocked to provincial halls on Wednesday morning to give alms to monks and engage in other volunteer activities.
In Chon Buri, Pattaya police and volunteers joined hands in collecting garbage in the city and along its beaches.
Pattaya police chief Pol Col Apichai Krobphet said the volunteer activity was conducted to pay tribute to the late King and make Pattaya a more liveable city.
In Phuket, more than 2,800 people participated in “Rao Tham Khwamdee Duay Huajai’’ (We do good deeds from our hearts) volunteer activity. They cleaned roads and trimmed tree branches along streets in Muang district.
Several shops offered free food.
In Hat Yai district of Songkhla, Khao Kha Moo Hed Hom shop, a popular shop selling rice with stewed pork leg, gave away 1,000 dishes for free.
