THAILAND-KING/ARMY PARADE Thai military hold annual multi-colour parade ahead of King's birthday

Record ID: 451548

  • Title: THAILAND-KING/ARMY PARADE Thai military hold annual multi-colour parade ahead of King's birthday
  • Date: 2nd December 2014
  • Summary: BANGKOK, THAILAND (DECEMBER 2, 2014) (REUTERS) MARCHING BAND WALKING PEOPLE HOLDING FLAGS VARIOUS OF MILITARY PARADE ARMY OFFICERS FORMING HUMAN CHAIN MILITARY PARADE PEOPLE TAKING PICTURES OF MILITARY PARADE
  • Embargoed: 17th December 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Thailand
  • Country: Thailand
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVADBVKI2CVM25RDEEMU340DJMSX
  • Story Text: Thailand's military royal guards donned colourful uniforms as they walked the parade on Tuesday (December 2) in honour of King Bhumibol Adulyadej as part of his 87th birthday celebrations.
    The ceremony, also known as Trooping of the Colours, is held annually on December 2, three days ahead of the King's birthday on December 5.
    The parade of the royal guards, the King's own bodyguards, also include an oath-taking ceremony where the military take the oath of allegiance to the King.
    The king is revered by many Thais and his portrait hangs in every government building and in many shops and homes.
    Crowds gathered to watch the ceremony, and expressed concern over Bhumibol's health after he was admitted to hospital last month.
    "I hope the king soon recovers from his illness and continue to live as a revered figure as long as he possibly can," 75-year old bystander Veera Klinketkaew said.
    "I came here today so that His Majesty can see that the people still love him, nobody will abandon him," 65-year old Bangkok resident Benyapa Sae-tiow added.
    King Bhumibol, 86, is seen as a unifying figure in Thailand and his health is a matter of public concern. His son and presumed heir, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, does not command his father's popular support.
    Bhumibol was admitted to Bangkok's Siriraj hospital last month with an inflammation of his gall bladder, which was removed through surgery.
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