- Title: Thailand celebrates King Maha Vajiralongkorn's birthday
- Date: 28th July 2017
- Summary: BANGKOK, THAILAND (JULY 28, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE GATHERING IN ROYAL PLAZA SQUARE THAI FLAGS, PORTRAIT OF KING MAHA VAJIRALONGKORN AND ROYAL FLAGS VARIOUS OF NAVY GIVING ALMS TO MONKS VARIOUS OF COMMON PEOPLE GIVING ALMS TO MONKS VARIOUS OF NAVY AND COMMON PEOPLE GIVING ALMS TO MONKS VARIOUS OF THAI PRIME MINISTER PRAYUTH CHAN-OCHA GIVING ALMS TO MONKS STATUE OF RAMA V/PORTRAIT OF LATE KING BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ AND QUEEN SIRIKIT PEOPLE WALKING (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) BANGKOK RESIDENT, 75, MONGKOLSRI CHAMPOOM SAYING: "I'm very proud that I get to come here and give alms for our King Rama X (King Maha Vajiralongkorn), (I am) very happy." ROYAL PLAZA SQUARE PEOPLE BUYING LIMITED EDITION STAMPS CARRYING THE PORTRAIT OF KING MAHA VAJIRALONGKORN STAMPS WITH KING MAHA VAJIRALONGKORN'S PORTRAIT PEOPLE QUEUING VARIOUS OF PEOPLE BUYING STAMPS STAMPS PEOPLE BUYING STAMPS PEOPLE QUEUING (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) BANGKOK RESIDENT, 66, SUPALAK UAPIPATWARAKUL SAYING: "(The value of this stamp) Is in my heart. I am so old, I've never been through any changes of monarchs. I am sure he (Maha Vajiralongkorn) will be the next father of the nation for everyone." STAMP SALES ONGOING EXTERIOR OF A POST OFFICE PEOPLE QUEUING TO ENTER POST OFFICE BANNER OF KING MAHA VAJIRALONGKORN PORTRAIT
- Embargoed: 11th August 2017 04:43
- Keywords: Thailand King Maha Vajiralongkorn making merit Buddhist monks alms giving stamp release portrait
- Location: BANGKOK, THAILAND
- City: BANGKOK, THAILAND
- Country: Thailand
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Royals
- Reuters ID: LVA0016RMS7R9
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Thailand began celebrating King Maha Vajiralongkorn's 65th birthday on Friday (July 28) with major religious ceremonies and public displays of loyalty around the country.
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and government officials gave alms to 651 Buddhist monks at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok, and Thailand post released 100,000 sets of limited edition stamps carrying the portrait of the new king, who took over the throne in December.
The Thai government is officially in a year-long period of mourning following the death last October of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Vajiralongkorn's father, which means government officials have to wear black clothes or official uniform. But the government has instructed officials and members of the public to wear white clothes to celebrate King Vajiralongkorn's birthday.
The King's birthday has always been an important date in Thailand, a country where the monarchy is held in high regard by vast majority of Thais. The late King traditionally marked his birthday with a series of public appearances and delivered a speech to the nation which revealed his thoughts on the country's current affairs. But this year there are no scheduled public appearances or speech by King Vajiralongkorn. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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