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Thailand's military kicks off festivities for king's birthday

Formal celebrations for Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 80th birthday kicked off yesterday with a pomp-filled military parade, ahead of a week of elaborate festivities for the world's longest-reigning monarch.

Bhumibol, whose birthday is Wednesday, was expected to preside over the annual parade, in which the elite Royal Guards recite an oath of allegiance to the king, an accomplished musician who composed the music they march to.

HEALTH CONCERNS

Bhumibol's health has recently been a matter of nationwide concern. He checked out of a hospital Nov. 7 after three weeks of treatment for a colon infection and what the palace described as inadequate blood flow to his brain. Bhumibol has suffered several ailments in recent years.

As part of the weeklong celebrations, Bhumibol is to address the nation tomorrow night, as he does every year on the eve of his birthday.

Fireworks will light the skies on Wednesday night and many Thais will perform charitable acts to honor the king, such as donating blood.

Across the Buddhist nation, people will also show respect for the monarch by performing merit-making ceremonies that typically involve freeing captive animals, including birds, turtles and fish.

BORN IN THE USA

The king was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Dec. 5, 1927. His father, Prince Mahidol, was studying medicine there. He became the ninth king of Thailand's Chakri dynasty on June 9, 1946. He succeeded his older brother Ananda, who died in an unexplained shooting.

Bhumibol is a constitutional king with no formal political role, but he has taken an especially active role in rural development and is respected for his dedication to helping the country's poor.

Last year marked Bhumibol's 60th anniversary on the throne, a milestone that was celebrated with festivities attended by royalty from around the world.
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