Thailand Celebrates Coronation Day

300,000 people took the streets of Bangkok to celebrate Coronations Day – the 59th anniversary of the crowning of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

It was chance not only to honor their King, but to call for peace for a nation in turmoil.

Many Thais wore white or other neutral colors as part of the campaign “stop hurting Thailand.”

Those who spoke to the press said they were tired of the politics that divided their country. Others said they did not understand why the politicians were so bipartisan when they are so loyal to the King.

As an example of this, at 7:30pm on live television, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva lead the government in swearing an oath to Bhumibol.

“To mark the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King’s coronation [next year] and as a gesture of gratitude towards the monarch and all members of the royal family, I and all Thais will be steadfast in expressing our gratitude to the motherland.” the prime minister said.

“We will act in keeping with righteousness and religious morals and will uphold the institution of the monarchy and be always thankful to the institution’s contributions to bring prosperity to the nation.

“We will conduct ourselves with diligence and honesty to preserve the country under the constitutional monarchy,” he said.

Before all this, in the morning, King Bhumibol, Queen Sirikit and the rest of the royal family, went to Grand Palace’s Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall to mark Coronation Day.

Once there, the King allowed the Royal Pantheon to be opened to opened to the public. Normally, the Pantheon is exclusive to the royal family.

Celebrations went on throughout the day for Thais. There was traditional dancing and pop singers performing starting at 5pm until the partying ended at midnight.