Thai king appeals for stability after violent protests
As demonstrators pause to celebrate his birthday, King Bhumibol Adulyadej makes speech asking Thais to work together for peace
Thailand’s revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej urged the nation to work together for “stability” in a speech on his 86th birthday on Thursday, which was marked with a lull in tensions after violent anti-government protests rocked Bangkok.
The kingdom remains on edge following several days of street clashes during demonstrations aimed at overthrowing Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and curbing the political influence of her brother Thaksin.
Demonstrators and police in the Thai capital have been observing a temporary truce since Wednesday ahead of the birthday celebrations for King Bhumibol, who is treated as a near-deity by many in the Southeast Asian country.
At a formal ceremony attended by Thai dignitaries including the embattled premier, her political rivals and the nation’s military heads, the king said the country “has been peaceful for a long time because everybody worked together”.
“Every Thai should be aware of this and should perform their role for the benefit of the country, which is the stability and security of the country,” he said in the speech broadcast on all Thai television channels.
The streets near the king’s seaside palace were a sea of yellow on Thursday as thousands of people wearing his signature colour turned out to celebrate in the central coastal town of Hua Hin, where he has lived since leaving hospital in August.