This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7128105.stm
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Thais mark king's 80th birthday | Thais mark king's 80th birthday |
| (about 2 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. |
| Tens of thousands of people have gathered at his palace in the capital, Bangkok, to show their respect for the king, who is revered in Thailand. | |
| The festivities come amid growing fears over King Bhumibol's fragile health. | The festivities come amid growing fears over King Bhumibol's fragile health. |
| Last month he spent three weeks in hospital being treated for inadequate blood flow to the brain. | Last month he spent three weeks in hospital being treated for inadequate blood flow to the brain. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. |
| Many Thais have been wearing the pink and yellow shirts | Many Thais have been wearing the pink and yellow shirts |
| Many have taken to wearing yellow or pink over the past year, colours associated with the king. | Many have taken to wearing yellow or pink over the past year, colours associated with the king. |
| 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. | 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' | '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. | 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 | 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. |
| "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. | "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. |
| "This way, we could walk without falling. Without unity, the country will face disaster." | "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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | The Thai monarchy is protected by strict laws which ban any criticism of members of the royal family. |