Thai Catholic leaders joined other religious leaders in honoring King Bhumiphol Adulyadej, the Thai monarch and patron of all recognized religions in the country, on his 66th birthday Dec. 5.
At the prime minister´s office Dec. 1, a seminar on "Religion Supports Democracy" began with the representatives of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism each giving a speech in honor of the king.
Though the official patron of all recognized religions, King Bhumiphol is also the head of Buddhism as the state religion of Thailand.
Redemptorist Bishop George Phimphisan of Udon Thani, president of the Catholic Bishops´ Conference of Thailand, represented Christians at the seminar on religions and democracy.
Bishop Phimphisan said that during the 47 years of King Bhumiphol´s reign, people of all religions have lived in harmony and peace. He added that Thai kings are historically known for abiding by the principles of religion.
After the speeches, all present were asked to observe silence for five minutes and offer prayers, according to each one´s religion, for the king.
Bishop Phimphisan noted that an atmosphere of cordiality prevailed among the various religious leaders.
Deputy Prime Minister Banyat Banthadtharn presided at the opening ceremony as chairman of the government´s committee on religion and morality.
On Dec. 4, the eve of the king´s birthday, Cardinal Michael Michai Kitbunchu of Bangkok honored the king in a speech broadcast throughout the country.
The king´s birthday is also marked in Thailand as Father´s Day.
Currently, the world´s longest-reigning monarch, King Bhumiphol is held in high esteem and wields much influence in Thailand, though Thai kings have not exercised much direct power since the country became a constitutional monarchy in 1932.
King Bhumiphol´s personal intervention was instrumental in ending the bloody military suppression of pro-democracy protests in May 1992 and bringing about the resignation of the unelected prime minister, former army chief Gen. Suchinda Kraprayoon.
The king has sponsored numerous rural development projects. He has recently expressed his concern over Bangkok´s worsening traffic congestion and the drought affecting much of the country, and has also suggested remedial steps.
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