People hail 80-year-old monarch ahead of potentially uncertain election this month
The toast of 'long live the king' has been ringing out across Thailand and at celebrations across the region to mark the 80th birthday yesterday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. This year the cry carries a particular resonance, coming after a bout of ill-health for the king and ahead of a potentially uncertain election later this month.
As a constitutional monarch, King Bhumibol reigns but cannot rule over a proudly free nation whose struggle for democracy has been marked by upheaval and military intervention. Yet his moral authority forged during 61 years on the throne - longer than any other reigning monarch - means ordinary Thais may again turn to him for guidance should upcoming elections threaten to worsen Thailand's political situation.
On December 23 Thais go to the polls to elect the first government since military leaders removed then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a bloodless coup in September 2006, prematurely ending his Thai Rak Thai Party's unprecedented two terms in office.
While the election fufils the junta's promise to return Thailand to democratic rule - the generals' coup, after all, was staged in the name of democracy - a range of insiders fear short-term instability surrounding the result.
King Bhumibol used his annual birthday address on Tuesday to stress his good health - he was recently hospitalised due to a lack of blood circulation to his brain - but also spoke of healing divisions.
'Whether soldiers or civilians, [we] must be united, like our legs that must be united - which means one goes forward and one pushes backward before moving forward,' he said. 'This way, we could walk without falling. Without unity, the country will face disaster.'