Some 1 million Thais flocked to central Bangkok yesterday to pay tribute to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, on the 60th anniversary of his rule.
The 78-year-old king addressed the massive, adoring crowd from his throne on the balcony of his marble palace, calling for national unity after months of political turmoil.
"I am elevated after seeing all these people gathered together. This reminds me of the good virtue of unity, which has helped our Thai people to preserve our nation and will help develop our country in future," he said.
Half a million Thais wearing yellow shirts to honor their revered monarch listened intently, many clasping their hands in respect and some even crying as they glimpsed the man who had not given a public audience since 1999.
Almost half a million more, who could not cram onto the royal plaza or the nearby avenues, thronged the streets in the city centre, with the crowd stretching for at least 2km.
"The fact that so many people showed up today is a testament to the loyalty and gratitude that all Thais feel for the king," Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said after the event.
Later, hundreds of thousands lit candles for the king in a twilight vigil at a nearby field, as fireworks colored the sky over the gilded spires of Buddhist temples.
For ordinary Thais, the audience marked their only chance to see the king during nearly a week of celebrations to celebrate his six decades on the throne.
The event took place near the scene of anti-government protests that rattled Bangkok through February and March. Although the protests have subsided, Thailand remains mired in political uncertainty after elections on April 2 failed to produce a parliament.
In a rare political intervention, the king demanded that the courts take action to resolve the crisis, leading them to invalidate the elections and set the stage for new polls on Oct. 15.
In a sign of the king's enormous popularity, police said the crowd was up to 20 times larger than that seen at most of anti-Thaksin demonstrations this spring.
"It's an unprecedented and historic event," said Bangkok police spokesman Colonel Pinit Maneerut.
Most of the people wore yellow shirts, the color Thais traditionally associate with Monday, the day of the week on which the king was born. Around the capital, buildings were draped with yellow banners, while shrines with portraits of the king dotted the sidewalks.
Yesterday was declared a national holiday to allow people to join the celebrations.
Yupa Yimyoh, 39, said she had come to see King Bhumibol again, 10 years after having seen him and Queen Sirikit in her hometown.
"I feel like their majesties are not ordinary people. Their skin looks like gold," she said.
For centuries Thais believed the king was divine, and while such beliefs have faded, millions revere their monarch because of his role in helping the poor and his ability to stay above the turbulent fray of Thai politics.
Three days of religious events were due to end today. However, royals from around the world are to arrive this weekend for more celebrations on Monday and Tuesday, including a parade of gilded barges through Bangkok on the Chao Phraya River, including Emperor Akihito of Japan, King Abdullah II of Jordan, Prince Albert II of Monaco and leaders of several Gulf states.
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