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Current situation ‘unstable’ National security must come first

His Majesty the King yesterday called for unity among the armed forces and Thais, urging them to put national security above all else.

The King was addressing soldiers from 13 Royal Guard battalions who gathered at the Royal Plaza for their annual trooping of the colour parade and ceremony of taking an oath of allegiance to mark his 80th birthday on Wednesday.

‘‘It is clear that the current situation is unstable. We can say that if Thais have a lack of awareness for the country, unity, we all may face calamity,’’ His Majesty said.

‘‘Therefore, I ask all soldiers and all Thais in every circle to contemplate whether the country deserves your protection.

‘‘If you think so, please consciously stay honest, minimise prejudice and strengthen kindness and unity.’’

His Majesty, who was released from Siriraj Hospital on Nov 7 after three weeks of medical treatment for insufficient flow of blood to part of his brain, looked physically fit.

His Majesty, accompanied by Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, arrived at the Royal Plaza in a convertible about 5.10pm yesterday. Other members of the Royal Family also attended.

Several thousand people thronged the streets that led to the Royal Plaza to get a glimpse of the King and members of the Royal Family.

The King, with the Queen by his side, stood in the slowly moving car carrying his sceptre while reviewing the troops in full regalia.

Supreme Commander Boonsrang Niampradit led the soldiers in taking an oath of allegiance before His Majesty, who sat in a pavilion in front of Amporn Garden at the Royal Plaza.

Taking the oath, Gen Boonsrang said soldiers would do their utmost to carry out their tasks with honesty.

They were ready to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect the monarch and the Royal Family, he said.

After the oath, cannons at Sanam Sua Pa beside the Royal Plaza fired a 21-gun salute and 8,000 balloons were released into the sky.

The King then spoke to the soldiers, saying that Thailand has managed to maintain its independence and territorial integrity because people realised the importance of being Thai and the duty of protecting the country’s freedom and security.

‘‘As attested to by history, Thais have a close bond and come together as one. They are not divided, and always act in concert,’’ the King said in his speech to the Royal Guards after they swore allegiance to him.

‘‘However, it is clear that the current situation is unstable. We can say that if Thais have a lack of awareness for the country, unity, we all may face calamity.’’

His Majesty urged soldiers and the public to decide for themselves whether the nation is of great importance and is worth protecting to ensure it continues to exist.

‘‘If you realise the country is important, then be careful with your actions and thoughts, stick to honesty, try to put a curb on prejudice and foster compassion and unity among each other.

‘‘No matter what you do, make national security the highest goal,’’ the King said, and wished all Thais happiness and success.

His Majesty then reviewed the soldiers on parade.

More than 2,000 soldiers from 12 Royal Guard battalions marched in the parade.

The trooping of the colour ceremony, which lasted one hour, concluded with a parade of cavalrymen on horseback from the 29th Cavalry Squadron, King’s Guard.

Their Majesties then left the Royal Plaza for Chitralada Palace about 6.10pm.

Along the way, the King waved to people who gathered on the road. They shouted ‘‘Long Live the King’’ as his motorcade passed.

As a prelude to the trooping of the colour ceremony, two activities were organised at the Royal Plaza.

The first was an exhibition of muay thai fighting skills by boxers, followed by a performance of five of the army’s marching bands playing several compositions by the King. As part of the week-long celebrations, the King is to address the nation tomorrow, when he grants an audience to members of the cabinet, chief justices and the National Legislative Assembly as well as highranking state officials at Dusidalai Pavilion in the compound of Chitralada Palace.

On Wednesday, His Majesty meets a congregation of people at Chakri Maha Prasart Throne Hall at 10.30am. Hundreds of thousands of people, in yellow shirts, are expected to gather along the route from Chitralada Palace to the Grand Palace.

At night, fireworks will light the skies and many Thais will perform charitable acts to honour the King, such as donating blood. Across the nation people will also show respect for the monarch by performing merit-making ceremonies that typically involve freeing captive animals, including birds, turtles and fish.
taken from Bangkok Post

Compie 80 anni il re della Thailandia Bhumibol Adulyadej e durante le celebrazioni oggi a Bangkok lancia un appello per l’unità del paese in vista delle elezioni in un momento di particolari divisioni e tensionipolitiche. “È ampiamente riconosciuto che gli sviluppi della situazione non sono prevedibili, ma possiamo dire che se il popolo thailandese non ha consapevolezza per lo stato del paese e per la sua unità, rischiamo di andare incontro a vere calamità”, ha detto il re durante la cerimonia par il suo compleanno che ricorre il prossimo mercoledì.

“Per questo - ha continuato il sovrano - chiedo a tutti i soldati e a tutti i thailandesi di riflettere sulla necessità o meno di proteggere il Paese. Se credete che debba essere protetto allora, in coscienza, rimanete onesti, minimizzate i pregiudizi, rafforzate bontà e unità”.

L’invito del re si riferisce al rischio di scontri e violenze che potrebbero esplodere a ridosso della consultazione elettorale prevista per il prossimo 23 dicembre e che vede contrapposti i sostenitori dell’ex primo ministro Thaksin Shinawatra e i militari che hanno rovesciato il suo governo prendendo il potere nel settembre 2006.
tratto da http://new.ticinonews.ch

(ANSA) - BANGKOK, 2DIC -Compie 80 anni il re della Thailandia Bhumidol Adulyadej e lancia un appello per l’unita’ del Paese in vista delle elezioni. ‘E’ riconosciuto che gli sviluppi della situazione non sono prevedibili, ma possiamo dire che se il popolo tailandese non ha consapevolezza per lo stato del paese e per la sua unita’, rischiamo di andare incontro a vere calamita’, ha detto. Il suo compleanno ricorre il prossimo mercoledi’. Il sovrano teme scontri a ridosso delle elezioni (23 dicembre).
tratto da http://www.borsaitaliana.it/

His Majesty has made a ‘significant recovery’

His Majesty the King has made a significant recovery from his illness and will be discharged from Siriraj Hospital today, 25 days after he was admitted, the Royal Household Bureau announced last night.

The statement said medical treatment and conthe country, by diplomats, the clergy, foreign visitors and the thousands of people in general who have sent getthe source said.

About 100 police will guard the roads that the King’s motorcade will travel tinued regular physical exercise have enabled His Majesty to steadily regain his strength.

The King had suffered from weakness to the right side of his body.

He is now able to walk a short distance without the aid of a walker.

The inflammation in his intestine has also been completely cured and His Majesty can return to Chitralada Palace today, the statement said.

The Committee of Royal Physicians has recommended His Majesty continue with the exercises until the strength of his muscles is fully restored.

Earlier, test results showed his blood chemistry profile was normal and his general condition was good.

The King has expressed his appreciation and thanks for the goodwill shown by members of royalty in and outside well messages, the announcement said.

Earlier in the day, the bureau confirmed the steady improvement of His Majesty’s physical strength.

His doctors reported that the King was continuing to exercise, had regained more strength and was able to walk a short distance without support. His Majesty could also eat normal meals.

The King was admitted to the hospital for treatment on Oct 13.

Meanwhile, police were preparing for the King’s return to his palace today.

A Metropolitan Police Bureau source said it was expected His Majesty would leave the hospital at 11am.

His Majesty wanted to keep his return to the palace a private matter. He does not want police mobilised to increase security around him. Nor should people crowd places where His Majesty will pass when returning to Chitralada Palace, between Siriraj Hospital and Chitralada Palace. A large number of people are expected to turn out to see him.

Thirty police will be from the Traffic Police Division, another 30 from the Metropolitan Police Division 7, and the rest from Bang Yi Khan, Nang Loeng and Dusit police stations.

The bureau said in another statement that the condition of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, the King’s elder sister, had improved.

She had no fever, was more alert, and was able to sit upright on her bed and occasionally sit in a wheelchair.

The doctors continued treating the Princess with antibiotics and giving her physical therapy.

taken from http://bangkokpost.newspaperdirect.com