King's Birthday Photo Album: Spot Your Friends
PHUKETWAN and its staff join the island and the entire nation, as well as many admirers overseas, in wishing His Majesty The King many happy returns on the occasion of his 81st birthday.
March next year marks another significant royal anniversary. It will be 50 years in 2009 since HM The King paid his first visit to Phuket.
When The King came to the island, he dropped in unexpectedly on villagers in Patong. That must have been quite something, to have the King suddenly appear on your doorstep.
To ensure the magic of his visit was captured forever, Phuketwan last year sought out some of the people who were there. We talked to them, or in some cases to their families.
Below we reprint the interviews that recollected some of those unforgettable moments.
Above in the Photo Album, we highlight the candle-lit show of respect at Saphan Hin, on the night of his birthday, by hundreds of people.
Earlier in the week, a turtle release took place at the Royal Thai Navy base at Cape Panwa in honor of HM The King..
It may be too much to expect a royal visit next year to mark the significance of the 50th anniversary, but we are certain that local authorities will commemorate the occasion appropriately in March.
Long Live The King.
When HM Visited Phuket
HM The King Pays a Surprise Visit to Patong
The Big Buddha is one of many tributes on Phuket to HM The King, whose 1959 visit is remembered with great affection.
HM The King Pays a Surprise Visit to Patong
HM The King And a Famous Drink
Yachting was for many years HM The King's favorite sport, back when he received a welcome glass from a loyal subject in Patong on a surprise visit in 1959.
HM The King And a Famous Drink
Making Magical Music With HM The King
Celebrations on Phuket mark the King's birthday, reviving musical memories of his visit to the island in 1959.
Making Magical Music With HM The King
