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Thais mark king's 80th birthday Thais mark king's 80th birthday
(about 3 hours later)
Celebrations are taking place in Thailand to mark the 80th birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest serving monarch.Celebrations are taking place in Thailand to mark the 80th birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest serving monarch.
Crowds are expected to gather at his palace in the capital, Bangkok, to show their respect for the king, who enjoys almost god-like reverence in Thailand. Crowds are gathering at his palace in the capital, Bangkok, to show their respect for the king, who enjoys almost god-like reverence in Thailand.
A recent spell in hospital has underlined fears over King Bhumibol's increasingly fragile health. The festivities come amid growing fears over King Bhumibol's fragile health.
On occasion he has used his authority to help settle political crises. Last month he spent three weeks in hospital being treated for inadequate blood flow to the brain.
The monarchy is protected by strict laws which ban any criticism of members of the royal family. The king's birthday is an occasion for celebration in Thailand, but also a time of acute anxiety, reports the BBC's Jonathan Head from Bangkok.
Anxiety over ageing
The king's birthday is an occasion for celebration in Thailand, but also a time of acute anxiety.
During his 61 years on the throne, public adulation for King Bhumibol has risen to such an intensity that few Thais can imagine how the country will cope without him.During his 61 years on the throne, public adulation for King Bhumibol has risen to such an intensity that few Thais can imagine how the country will cope without him.
Fears over the King's health have heightened succession concernsMany have taken to wearing yellow or pink over the past year, colours associated with the king. Many Thais have been wearing the pink and yellow shirts
A stiff, unsmiling figure in public, he has steered a legally almost powerless monarchy through a succession of unstable military and civilian governments, and acquired an unrivalled aura of virtue and integrity. Many have taken to wearing yellow or pink over the past year, colours associated with the king.
On Tuesday, in the speech to the nation that he always gives to mark his birthday, King Bhumibol assured the people of Thailand that his health was fine, despite a recent spell in hospital. A stiff, unsmiling figure in public, he has steered a legally almost powerless monarchy through a succession of unstable military and civilian governments, and acquired an unrivalled aura of virtue and integrity, our correspondent says.
'Must unite'
On Tuesday, in the speech to the nation that he always gives to mark his birthday, King Bhumibol assured the people of Thailand that his health was fine, despite the recent spell in hospital.
Fears over the King's health have heightened succession concerns
He also pleaded for unity between the military and civilians, a veiled reference to the bitter divisions in Thailand over last year's coup which ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.He also pleaded for unity between the military and civilians, a veiled reference to the bitter divisions in Thailand over last year's coup which ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The country is due to return to democratic rule after a general election later this month, but the next government is likely to be a weak coalition. "Whether soldiers or civilians, [we] must be united, like our legs that must be united - which means one goes forward and one pushes back before moving forward," he said.
Fears over King Bhumibol's health have been heightened by uncertainties over the succession. "This way, we could walk without falling. Without unity, the country will face disaster."
The country is due to return to democratic rule after a general election later this month.
Polling will take place on 23 December and many analysts believe that the most likely outcome will be a weak coalition government.
Fears over King Bhumibol's health have been heightened by uncertainties over the succession, our correspondent adds.
His son, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, has been groomed to succeed, but doubts are frequently expressed over his capabilities.His son, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, has been groomed to succeed, but doubts are frequently expressed over his capabilities.
The Thai monarchy is protected by strict laws which ban any criticism of members of the royal family.