Grand bash for Thai king

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KING Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand’s 84th birthday on Dec 5 was extremely auspicious as it marked His Majesty’s seventh cycle of the 12-year cycle. The completion of the seventh cycle is seen as a great blessing not only to the king but to the nation.

All Thais are praying their king will complete his eighth cycle at age 96.

The guest of honour representing the Malaysian Government was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz. A portrait of the Thai King with royal paraphernalia was placed on the stage at Royale Chulan ballroom. Nazri and the Thai ambassador Thana Duangratana toasted each other’s King and government with orange juice.

Happy occasion: (from left) Krisna Kangthong, Miss International Tourism 2011 Nathalie Dekker from Holland and Royal Thai Embassy minister counsellor Somphong Kangthong at the celebration.

Other Malaysian top government officers were Deputy Foreign Minister Senator A. Kohilan Pillay, Senator Boon Som Inong and Senator S. Ramakrishnan. Local VIPs included Tan Sri Mustafa Mansur and Sunway Holdings Berhad president Datuk Chew Chee Kin.

Ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps, Thai businessmen, Thai communities in Malaysia and Malaysians of Siamese origins feasted on Thai delicacies such as tomyam with shrimps, green curry chicken, phad thai (Thai kuay teow), som tam (papaya salad), larb woonsen (glass noodle salad), mackerel salad and chicken snacks from Chareon Phokapand Group. The fruits, flown in direct from Bangkok on Thai Airways, vanished fast as they were sweet, juicy and delicious.

Thai Airways also flew in 15 dancers from Petchaburi Rajabhat University from Petchaburi province who performed court and folk dances including the Thai traditional dance to celebrate King Bhumibol’s birthday as well as King Kala dance imitating a bird’s movement, Rabam Gek Bai Cha (picking tea leaves dance), Fon Pang Prateep (lamp dance) and Muay Thai demonstration.

Another highlight was a solo performance by young Thai musician on the ‘khim’ (hammered dulchimer) playing music composed by King Bhumibol himself.

Siam Culture Park, a major tourist attraction in Thailand, distributed herbal essences and mobile paper sculptures.