- Title: Well-wishers release over a thousand turtles in honour of Thai King's birthday
- Date: 26th July 2017
- Summary: CHONBURI, THAILAND (JULY 26, 2017) (REUTERS) THAI NAVY OFFICIALS STANDING ON SEASHORE SCHOOL STUDENTS PICKING TURTLES OUT OF A BUCKET VARIOUS OF HANDS HOLDING GREEN TURTLES 20-YEAR-OLD GREEN TURTLE LOOKING ON FROM ITS ENCLOSURE VARIOUS OF NAVY OFFICIALS HOLDING TURTLES PEOPLE HOLDING TURTLES AND TAKING PHOTOS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF ROYAL THAI FLEET, ADMIRAL SUCHEEP WHOUNGMAITREE (CENTRE), AND SPOUSE, RELEASING TWENTY-YEAR OLD GREEN TURTLE VARIOUS OF GREEN TURTLE WALKING INTO SEA GREEN TURTLE SWIMMING UNDERWATER (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) NAVY COMMANDER OVERSEEING TURTLE CONSERVATION CENTER, REAR ADMIRAL EAGARAT PROMLUMPUG, SAYING: "We held this event to honour His Majesty the king because we want to send the people a message (regarding his good deeds) and of his gratitude towards the King Rama IX (late King Bhumibol Adulyadej)." SCHOOL STUDENTS LOOKING AT TURTLES WALKING INTO SEA HANDS HOLDING TURTLE AND RELEASING IT VARIOUS OF TURTLES BEING HIT BY WAVES AS THEY PADDLE INTO SEA (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) THAI ACTRESS AND NATURE ADVOCATE, ATHICHANAN SRISEVOK, SAYING: "The main event today is the releasing of the turtles, which also symbolizes longevity. I want to wish, 'long live His Majesty the King', and for him to remain healthy." (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) NAVY COMMANDER OVERSEEING TURTLE CONSERVATION CENTER, REAR ADMIRAL EAGARAT PROMLUMPUG, SAYING: "Sea turtles are an indication of how abundant the ecosystem is in the sea. The more we see the turtles lay eggs on the shore, the more it means that the Thai Gulf and Andaman Sea remains abundant." SAILORS TRANSFERRING TURTLES INTO BIGGER BUCKET SAILORS SITTING AND LOOKING ON HANDS PICKING UP HAWKSBILL TURTLES FROM BUCKET HANDS PUTTING TURTLES IN A BIGGER BUCKET FILLED WITH WATER VARIOUS OF BABY GREEN TURTLES SWIMMING UNDERWATER VARIOUS OF BABY GREEN TURTLES SWIMMING
- Embargoed: 9th August 2017 07:40
- Keywords: Thailand King birthday turtles release longevity turtles released on King's birthday turtles released
- Location: CHONBURI, THAILAND
- City: CHONBURI, THAILAND
- Country: Thailand
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Royals
- Reuters ID: LVA0016RCSMDH
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:More than a thousand turtles were released into the sea in Thailand on Wednesday (July 26) as part of celebrations around the country to mark the birthday of new King Maha Vajiralongkorn on July 28.
King Vajiralongkorn, inherited the throne in December following the death of his revered father King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who had ruled the country for seven decades, two months before.
The event to honour the new king, who will turn 65 this week, was held at the Sea Turtle Conservation Center in Chonburi, around 75 km (47 miles) southeast of Bangkok, and was attended by the Royal Thai Navy, students and Thai celebrities. Many Thais believe the turtle is a symbol of longevity.
The number of turtles released - 1,066 - was to symbolize the number 10 for King Rama X, as King Vajiralongkorn is known, and the number 66, one more than his age, to wish the king longevity. Thai Buddhists believe that releasing captive animals is one way of gaining good karma.
The turtles released on Wednesday were from eggs collected by the navy from nearby Koh Kram island. Some of the turtles released were as young as a week old.
Celebrations are expected to include ceremonies at Buddhist temples around the country and a mass alms-giving event for more than 600 Buddhist monks at a public square in Bangkok on Friday (July 28). - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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