Divided Thailand marks king’s anniversary
Sixty-fourth anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s coronation is observed amid political turmoil.
Published On 6 May 2014
Thailand’s revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej made a rare public appearance on Monday to mark the 64th anniversary of his coronation, as his country faces heightened political turmoil.
King Bhumibol, the world’s longest-reigning monarch and a father figure for Thais, was crowned on May 5 1950, although he came to the throne in June 1946 following the death of his elder brother.
The 86-year-old monarch is seen as a moral authority in Thailand, which has been deeply divided along political lines since 2006 when former premier Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted in a military coup.
Al Jazeera’s Florence Looi reports from Bangkok.
Source: Al Jazeera