Thousands of people have gathered at Sanam Luang in Bangkok to light candles and sing a new royal anthem to mark the 66th birthday of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha led cabinet members and officials to light the candles and sing Sadudee Jom Racha at 7pm on Saturday.
Activities were also held at public offices at the same time across the country.
A few hours earlier, His Majesty went to Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram to change the robe of the Emerald Buddha for the rainy season. He arrived at the royal monastery with his daughters, Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha and HRH Princess Siriwanwaree.
After the ceremony, His Majesty left the main hall and sprinkled holy water from the ceremony on the waiting crowds outside.
His Majesty sprinkles holy water from the Emerald Buddha robe-changing ceremony on waiting crowds outside the main hall of Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram in Bangkok on Saturday. (Pool photo)
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his wife Naraporn lead the candle-lighting ceremony before the portrait of His Majesty at Sanam Luang on Saturday. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)