[gallery size="medium" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="19679,19681,19682,19678,19683,19677,19675,19676,19688,19680,19684,19685,19686,19687"] JEDDAH — Thanis Na Songkhla, consul-general of the Royal Thai Consulate-General here hosted a reception on the auspicious occasion of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 88th birthday anniversary which is also considered as the Thai National Day (Dec. 5) on last Thursday, at Park Hyatt Jeddah. Sami Bin Jamel Abdullah, counselor and dead of Protocol Department of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Makkah region branch, was the chief guest, and consuls-general in Jeddah with approximately 250 guests too joined in with the host in this commemoration. The Thai Consulate-General in Jeddah hosted a gathering for Thai Community in Western Region of Saudi Arabia at the Thai Consul-General's residence. More than 200 Thai residents living in Jeddah, Makkah, and Taif attended the reception to honor and to show their gratitude to their beloved monarch as the soul of the Nation. Songkhla thanked all most sincerely for joining in the celebration. "The day is very important for Thais, both in Thailand and overseas, as it's not only the National Day of Thailand, but we gather here to also celebrate the auspicious occasion of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 88th birthday anniversary." For more than 6 decades, celebration is held throughout the day but the evening best captures the spirit and loyalty of Thai people, who have for their revered King, as they would unanimously congregate to light up candles around the grand palace and other notable landmarks throughout Bangkok and other cities. "We shall reign with righteousness for the benefits and happiness of the Siamese people," were the King's promise given to the Thai people on the day of his official coronation on May 5, 1950, and for over 60 years, now serving as the world's longest reigning monarch, the King's consistent involvement with the public has been become deeply ingrained in the Thai ways of life and the Thai public at large. Thai people show admiration and profound respect for the King, not simply because of the symbolic eminence of his kingship, but they truly respect his amicable qualities of humbleness and genuine concern for the livelihood and well-being of his subjects of all races and religions within the kingdom. King Bhumibol is a devout patron of Islam, Approximately 10 million Muslims in Thailand receive gracious support from him as well as the Thai government for the development of their livelihood, hand in hand with the encouragement of free religious practices. "On this auspicious occasion, on behalf of the Royal Thai Consulate-General as well as the Thai Community in Saudi Arabia, I wish to extend to the government of Saudi Arabia, our utmost gratitude for its benevolence rendered to the Thai Community residing in Saudi Arabia with peaceful stay. Also, I would like to express our deep gratitude to King Salman, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, for patronizing, among other things, Haj for Muslims around the world, and for the King's guidance to the Saudi government's supportive role in helping in various of its affairs," Songkhla said. Several activities are arranged specially in the first week of December in honor of the beloved monarch, who is recognized for his wide-ranging talents. King Bhumibol is renowned for his expertise in all fields of human endeavor. His interests range from the artistic field to sports, agriculture, and even to scientific invention and innovation. From painting, photography, and sculpture to sailboat design and construction, he has demonstrated exceptional ingenuity as a "great all-rounder," a genuine Renaissance man. He is also recognized as a man of ability and talent, both in his work and in his leisure activities. On the 9th of June 1946, the King acceded to the throne of the Kingdom of Thailand and was proclaimed as "King Bhumibol Adulyadej" meaning "the strength of the land" and the tireless efforts of the King with a peerless mission to uplift the poverty of the country have amply proved that the King still stands as the towering personality with the strength of the land even today. To mark the 88th birthday anniversary of King Bhumibol, program of state, royal ceremonies and celebrations have been held through out the kingdom to show gratitude and loyalty to our beloved monarch.
