The heart of Bangkok pulsated to ancient rhythms last night as celebrations for King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 60-year reign reached their climax.
The biggest gathering of international royalty in Asia in years joined the king and his family to witness a procession of ornate royal barges glide past the temples and palaces of the Chao Phraya River, re-enacting a tradition dating back at least 400 years.
The river's rainy-season flow was controlled, weeds cleared and traffic halted as the chants of more than 2,000 oarsmen echoed down the river. Tens of thousands of Bangkok residents lined its banks. The 52 barges, inlaid with lacquered gold and Buddhist and Hindu icons, spread out over more than 1km of the river, ending their run at the Temple of the Dawn.
Thirteen heads of state were among the representatives of 25 monarchies, including Emperor Akihito of Japan, King Carl Gustaf of Sweden, King Abdullah of Jordan and Monaco's Prince Albert.
Their delegation was headed by the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, who, after King Bhumibol, was the next-longest-serving monarch present.
King Bhumibol and his wife, Queen Sirikit, mingled with the guests during an afternoon reception. In brief formal remarks, he spoke of duty but also of the fact that a nation's health did not depend 'on one person alone'.