Thai king celebrates Diamond Jubilee


BANGKOK (Reuters) - Revered King Bhumibol Aduljadej called for national unity on Friday at joyous celebrations of his Diamond Jubilee as Thais put a deep political crisis on hold.
King Bhumibol told a crowd in Bangkok's Royal Plaza -- estimated by police at one million and many millions more glued to their televisions around the country -- to think and act in good faith and work for the good of the nation.

"As long as Thais can still synchronise their thoughts, minds and behaviours for the good of the country, we can be assured the nation will continue to prosper," the bespectacled monarch said from a balcony of the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall.

"Therefore I would like to ask everyone here to keep this good virtue and continuously pass it on for the prosperity of the country," said the 78-year-old king, clad in an ornate coat of gold thread, 60 years after his coronation.

When he finished his five-minute speech, the genuinely adored monarch was rocked by a wave of sound as the crowd, which stretched 3 km (2 miles), shouted "Long Live His Majesty".

Some broke down in tears as the king, Queen Sirikit alongside him, was moved visibly by the sound from the crowd, many of whom arrived in the early hours to stake out a good place to see him.



"This is a very auspicious opportunity," said Chom Taenglek, 75, who arrived at dawn. "I would like to see all Thais sacrifice and do good for the country and our king, whom everyone should follow as a role model."

Like almost everyone else in Bangkok, Chom wore a yellow shirt, the colour of the king's birthday, and the crowd dwarfed the number of protesters who gathered in the same place earlier this year calling on Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to quit

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