the King
 

I am planning a trip to Thailand next winter. I saw a video and it said they have big celebrations and fireworks on the king`s birthday. I know it`s in December, but not sure when. I`d love to Christmas shop then. Any one know the date of the King`s birthday? Thanks!

His birthday was on the 5th with activities starting on the previous Thursday night and continuing up to fireworks on Mon. night. We were lucky enough to join in the crowds of people on the Royal Field for the candle lighting ceremony to honor him. We just happened to get a great viewing spot to see him leave the Grand Palace in his Rolls Royce. We don't know why but the police demanded that we not take pictures and the local people around us made sure we obeyed. It was quite exciting and heart warming to see how much he is loved and honored by the Thai people. Our guide book listed the date for the Trooping of the Colors as Dec. 3rd but they held it on the 2nd so we missed it as I saw nothing about it in the English language paper until the day after. Actually there was a letter to the editor bemoaning the fact that no one seemed to know when things were scheduled. We figured the people that would be in the know would be the newspaper reporters since they would be sent to cover the events. So, if you go, I'd double check the dates.

Next June will be the 60th anniversary of his coming to the throne and I read that major activities are being planned around the event. So people planning late spring/summer trips might want to keep that in mind. I've read a biography of the king written by an Brit and my respect for the man is enormous. I'd love to figure out a way to go in June to be a part of the festivities but it's my busiest time at work so impossible.

I believe that Graceland does have a party or special event on his birthday.

I`d certainly like to be there for his birthday! Glorialf, he must be very old if he has been king for 60 years. What was the name of the biography you read? I would like to read about him too!

The biography is "Revolutionary King" by William Stephenson. I can't remember if I bought it here or in thailand. He's around 77 or 78 I think. He was quite young when he became king.

gloriaf, when in June? We will be there from the 6th through the 23rd and would love it if we stumbled upon some type of celebration!

glorialf, My guess is you bought the book in Thailand, as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc don`t carry it. I have copied you reading list, and am reading the books I can find. thanks

Oops-- just checked and the author's name is Spelled Stevenson. Anyway, I did an amazon search just using the name and it showed up. Also their are used copies at www.abe.com so you should be able to get it. It's a real eye opener. And you'll learn a lot about modern thailand in the process.

FYI, the King was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The home of all Right-thinking (but left-leaning) people. There's a small plaque to honot the king near Harvard square.

We just returned from Bangkok. Toured the Royal Barges museum and was told that in honor of his birthday next year, there will be a special barge procession, very rarely held these days. Flotilla of ancient Siam style boats on the river. You may wish to hold off and go in November and catch the floating candle event in Chiang Mai in mid-November and include the December portion at the end of your trip.