Pattaya will mark His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 84th birthday Monday, Dec. 5 with ceremonies and a parade along Beach Road.
Festivities begin at 3 p.m. in front of Royal Garden Plaza where parade participants will register, receive their flags and other parade paraphernalia.
Beach Road will be closed beginning at 4:45 p.m., and the actual parade will begin at 5 p.m. starting at Royal Garden Plaza, through Walking Street and finishing at Bali Hai Pier. Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome will preside over the ceremonies to pay homage and pledge allegiance to HM the King.
His Majesty the King’s loyal subjects in Pattaya hold a candlelight ceremony at last year’s grand royal birthday celebration held at Bali Hai Pier.
Fireworks are scheduled for 7:50 p.m., followed by candle-lighting and songs of praise and loyalty at 8 p.m.
The “Beautiful Country Under His Royal Protection” celebration will also feature the singing of an original song penned by Ad Carabao, leader of Isaan-music band Carabao.
Entitled “‘Pra-Phu-Pid Thong Lang Phra,” or “His Majesty the King, the humble giver of unbounded benevolence”, the song will be led by the winner of a Dec. 1-4 contest at Central Festival Pattaya Beach to determine the best singer of the song.
People attending the Bali Hai celebration can sign postcards to be sent to His Majesty until Dec. 25.
The festivities will be capped off by a concert featuring performances by Ganesha, Sixty Miles, Bell Supol, and Mild, which will wrap up by 11:30 p.m.
The day is also observed as national Father’s Day, and since it is a public holiday, all government offices, banks and many businesses will be closed. Many bank branches in shopping malls may be open to cater to foreign exchange. Shopping centers and most exchange booths throughout the city will be open.
High ranking police officials told Pattaya Mail that since this is such an auspicious holiday, it is against the law to serve alcohol on this day. Restaurants, bars and entertainment venues are allowed to remain open, but must not serve alcohol of any kind on Monday, December 5, 2011.
