By LINDA KHOO
BANGKOK, May 7 (NNN-BERNAMA) – Chants of “sohng phra ja reern” (Long Live The King) reverberated when Thailand’s newly-crowned King Maha Vajiralongkorn granted the public an audience from a balcony at Suddhaisavarya Prasad Hall in the Grand Palace Monday.
Thousands of royal well-wishers clad in yellow, an auspicious colour associated with the King, knelt down in traditional Thai way to pay respects to the King and Queen Suthida on the third and final day of the royal coronation ceremonies.
Despite the scorching weather, the crowd carrying portraits of King Vajiralongkorn, the national flag and the monarch flag waited passionately for hours outside Suddhaisavarya Prasad Hall.
Today’s ceremony started with the royal anthem and a 21-gun salute, and chanting of “Long Live The King” led by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha.
Later, Princess Bajara Kitiyabha, Princess Sirivannavari and Prince Dipangkorn joined the King and Queen at the balcony to receive good wishes of the people.
On behalf of the Thais, Prayuth in his speech said all Thais vowed to support and be faithfully loyal to the King and monarchy to preserve and develop the country.
“May we express our joy and happiness to His Majesty. We appreciate His Majesty’s kindness and gratitude to the Thais,” he said.
Later, King Vajiralongkorn said the royal couple are delighted to receive well-wishes from the people.
“I wish that all parties will perform their duties and continue to develop our country,” he said.
King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida then met foreign diplomats who offered their felicitations on this special occasion at Chakri Maha Prasad Throne Hall.
On behalf of all diplomats and consulars, Ambassador of Singapore to Thailand Chua Siew San congratulated the King on the coronation ceremony.
“May your majesty allow me to conclude by renewing to your majesty our enduring commitment to further develop and strengthen the excellent relations between the kingdom of Thailand and our respective countries.
“May this great kingdom be blessed with peace, prosperity and progress under your majesty’s auspicious reign,” she said.
King Vajiralongkorn, 66, also known by the title of King Rama X, became a constitutional monarch after his father King Bhumibol Adulyadej — who reigned for 70 years — passed away in October 2016. It is the kingdom’s 12th Royal Coronation, held after a year of mourning.
On Saturday, King Vajiralongkorn was officially crowned as the 10th king of the Chakri dynasty in a mix of Hindu and Buddhist rituals.
Sunday, the King was carried through the streets on a royal palanquin in a seven-kilometre grand procession.
The parade lasted about seven hours, during which the King also visited three royal temples — Wat Bovoranives, Wat Rajabopidh and Wat Phra Chetuphon — and paid homage to the temples’ main Buddha. (photoBERNAMA)
— NNN-BERNAMA
