Devotion to monarch unites generations Well-wishers gather in early hours to greet His Majesty at Siriraj Hospital

Flag-waving well-wishers line both sides of Ratchadamnoen Avenue to catch a glimpse of His Majesty the King as he passes by in a van. 

It is 7am and the ground floor of the Chalermphrakiat Building at Siriraj Hospital is already crowded, not with patients but an ocean of pink shirts  well-wishers trying to catch a glimpse of His Majesty the King on his 84th birthday.

Although the highlight of this year's celebration took place on the balcony of the Chakri Throne Hall, where the King made an appearance late yesterday morning, thousands still preferred to wait and greet their beloved monarch at Siriraj Hospital, where he is staying.

The hospital visit was a must for many Thais including, Suwanna Kennamtieng, a 56-year-old retiree. She left her inundated home on Phetchakasem Road a day before the monarch's birthday so that she and seven of her friends would be able to sit in the front row on the building's ground floor and get the best view of the King and the royal family when they walked by.

His Majesty the King smiles as he leaves the 100 Years Building at Siriraj Hospital to go to the Grand Palace yesterday morning. 

The eight friends all come from different places and backgrounds, but have stayed together since first meeting at the hospital in August 2006 when they came to see the King released after a spinal injury. 

They have kept in touch ever since and have met one another in the very same spot every time the monarch has left the hospital for ceremonies.

"It doesn't matter how long I have to wait or how crowded the hospital will be. The moment I can see His Majesty the King right before me is really worth my whole life, even if it is just a few seconds," she said, clutching a picture of the monarch in her hand.

This year was also very important since it marked the King's seventh-cycle birthday, and Dolnapa Kladbuppa could not afford to miss this opportunity. The English tutor closed her school for the day to join her friends and celebrate this auspicious occasion. 

In her opinion, giving moral support to the King is crucial since he reportedly fell ill from fretting over people suffering from the flood.

The whole nation seemed to feel the same as Ms Dolnapa.

Although she could have spent the day cleaning up the flood damage in her Buddhist religious paraphernalia shop in Nakhon Sawan's Muang district, Piyatida Wongwikkorn put the work off. Instead, she drove to Bangkok to join others to shout "long live the King" and wish the monarch good health.

The long wait for the King ended at 10.19am, when the monarch, clad in an official white uniform, arrived at the ground floor of the Chalermphrakiat Building in a wheelchair. 

He was accompanied by members of the royal family, including HM the Queen, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, HRH Princess Chulabhorn, HRH Princess Srirasm, HRH Princess Soamsawali, HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha and Princess Ubolratana _ all of them wearing ivory-coloured traditional Thai silk gowns. The King was also accompanied by a team of doctors.

When the King arrived, the crowd started chanting, "long live the King", their voices filling the hallway. Many shed tears of joy when they saw His Majesty looking well as his entourage boarded a royal van. 

A sea of pink, national and yellow royal flags fluttered along the route from the hospital to the Grand Palace.

The deep reverence for His Majesty covers all generations. Patananan Sangthongprasert, a 9-year-old student at Satit Chula Demonstration School, didn't hesitate to wake up at 2am to accompany her mother to the hospital.

Despite not having had breakfast, the girl said she was not hungry at all after seeing the King. The school and her parents have taught her much about the monarch's dedication to a better quality of life for all Thais.

"Although I am just a kid, I know that by being a good student and obedient to my parents and teachers, I can also make the King happy and smile," she said.

Long Live Our King

His Majesty the King has begun the eighth cycle of one of the most remarkable lives. Almost no living Thai can recall when His Majesty was born, to a student doctor and his dedicated wife living in the United States.

But every Thai has been touched repeatedly during his or her life by the acts and guidance of this truly great monarch. On the occasion of his birthday celebrations, the words of Queen Elizabeth II say well what all Thais and so many foreign friends feel: 

"I wish Your Majesty good health, longevity and happiness, and send you my very best wishes for continued happiness and prosperity of all."

It is almost impossible to credit now, but when His Majesty acceded to the throne more than 65 years ago, the expectations for a monarch were not high. The military coup against absolute monarchy occurred in 1932.

World War Two followed, and there were many years when there was no monarch living in Siam. The accession to the throne and the coronation of the young king gave the country heart. 

The three institutions were once again in place _ the nation and religion, with the monarchy _ but few citizens could predict the extraordinary deeds which lay in their future and that of the whole country.

The surface achievements of His Majesty have been documented and archived, and will often be recalled. The solid advice and aid to citizens of all rank and every society is known and remembered. 

His absolutely selfless dedication to communities far away, and his actual help to such remote areas is unforgettable. 

Every Thai has a personal story of the commitment to every citizen that His Majesty has shown during his reign.

These physical achievements are barely the beginning of the story of past decades, however. His Majesty lives in Thailand, of course. 

But he lives in a more cherished place, in the hearts of every citizen. We cannot know, of course, the exact feelings that the fortunate Thai people had for the great kings of olden times _ Ramkhamhaeng and Naresuan, Narai and Taksin, Mongkut and Chulalongkorn among them. 

But all Thais today know their affection for the monarch, and know why they are proud of that affection. Thailand has suffered problems, but needs only to peer across the borders to see the alternative to having a wise, dedicated and guiding monarch.

Far beyond his astounding and always selfless physical achievements for the country, His Majesty the King has a particular and special place in the heart _ in the heart of the nation, as in the hearts of the Thai people.

The king without doubt is the leading light and driving force for the country. He is now 84 years old, but rather than the human frailty of age, the nation has again taken to its heart the strength in the example that His Majesty has set each day of his reign.

In his 84 remarkable years, the king has made contributions which can barely be measured, and can never be repaid. His 65 years as our monarch have made the nation better in almost every conceivable way.

He has not left his country for nearly 50 years, but even abroad, his reputation has grown. Just over five years ago, all the world's monarchs came to Thailand to visit His Majesty and attend his Royal Banquet.

During the current celebrations, Thais can consider again the contribution and leadership His Majesty has displayed since that day in May, 1956, when he gave his promise of righteousness.

It is not a slogan but a heartfelt recognition and trust when we say: Long Live The King.

King calls for unity, stability - Hundreds of thousands of well-wishers flock to palace - Flood crisis at forefront of His Majesty's birthday address

His Majesty the King thanks members of the royal family and dignitaries from many sectors of society who gathered at the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace yesterday to deliver their best wishes to him on his 84th birthday. 

His Majesty the King has called on all sides to put aside their differences and work in unity to help flood victims and to develop sustainable water management mechanisms for the benefit of the people and national stability.

Delivering a birthday message before hundreds of thousands of well-wishers from the balcony of the Chakri Throne Hall at the Grand Palace at 10.59am, the monarch thanked the people for their good wishes on his 84th birthday.

During the speech, the King said the people gathered before him held important positions in both the government and military. 

They should be well aware that national stability is only possible when people in the country have a good life and happiness without suffering.

He said it was the duty of all sides to work together at full force to tackle whatever hardships affected the people.

"At present, people are suffering from the floods," the King said. "Therefore, cooperation is needed to quickly solve the problem and come up with projects for sustainable water management. 

Those projects previously mentioned are only recommendations, not an order. However, the projects should be put into practice if they are seen as beneficial and cost-effective."

Editorial: Long Live Our King

The King is widely known to have a keen interest in water management. Many of the country's major irrigation projects are royally initiated or built on royal advice to state agencies.

His Majesty reminded all everyone to put aside their conflicts and give moral support to each other so their tasks could be achieved for the happiness of the people and the stability of the country.

The King wished the people happiness and prosperity, and then observed the renewal of the oath of allegiance by members of the Royal Guard.

Earlier in the ceremony, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn led the Royal Family in wishing His Majesty a happy birthday.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra told the King that Thai people realised the merits of his contributions to society and guidelines and that they would respond to the King's generosity by promoting unity in the nation.

Parliament president Somsak Kiatsuranont promised to do his best in honouring the King, to protect the throne, meet His Majesty's wishes and promote democracy in the country.

A total of 240 Royal and Honour guards were present at the ceremony.

Maj Gen Pisit Sitthisan, commander of the 1st Division, King's Guard, said although there was no parade by the Royal Guard yesterday, it "was great for the soldiers to make a vow" to protect and promote the royal institution.

Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said Thai people should extend their best wishes to the King and do good as his Majesty has been doing for the Thai people for a very long time.

The King left the Chakri Throne Hall and returned to Siriraj Hospital, where he has been staying since September 2009, by royal van at 11.50am.

Crowds waited along the two sides of Ratchadamnoen Avenue and Na Pralarn Road to get a glimpse of His Majesty the King and the Royal Family, waved national and royal flags and repeatedly chanted "Long Live the King" as the royal motorcade slowly passed by.