Jun 11, 2006, 15:06 GMT
Bangkok - Kings and queens, sheikhs, sultans, an emperor and his empress, princes and princesses flew into Bangkok on Sunday to attend celebrations marking Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 60th year on the throne, making him the world's longest reigning monarch.
Thai Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn (R) with royal consort Princess Mom Srirasmi Mahidol Na Ayutthaya, as they wave off Belgium Crown Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde towards the end of a long day meeting a flock of royal kings, queens and princess arriving at the Royal section of Bangkok Airport, Thailand, Sunday 11 June 2006. Royalty from 25 nations are arriving in Bangkok to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej rule, the world's longest reigning monarch. EPA/BARBARA WALTON
Denmark's Prince Henrik landed at Bangkok International Airport early Sunday, providing a royal kick-off to a busy day of red-carpet arrivals of royals and their representatives.
Monaco's Prince Albert was the second royal to arrive Sunday but the 'Playboy Prince' opted to fly to Thailand's charming northern city of Chiang Mai, 560 kilometres north of Bangkok, where he was to spend the night before travelling on to the Thai capital.
Organizers said Prince Albert had no planned itinerary in Chiang Mai, a city famed for its beautiful ladies.
Japanese Emperor Akihito and his Empress Michiko arrived after mid-day, on the final leg of a royal tour that has already taken them to Singapore and Malaysia.
Royals and their representatives from 25 countries around the world will be in Thailand on Monday and Tuesday to attend the highlights of celebrations marking King Bhumibol's ascension to the Thai throne on June 9, 1946, the day his elder brother, King Ananda, died.
Nearly half a million Thais paid respect to King Bhumibol on Friday, the day of his official ascension, by gathering outside the Ananda Throne Hall in Bangkok for a rare glimpse of the 78-year-old monarch who made a brief public speech from a balcony.
King Bhumibol is the longest-reigning monarch in Thai history and is currently the longest-reigning monarch in the world.
Celebrations marking his 60 years on the throne have proven more than just a domestic affair.
The international community has participated in paying tribute to Thailand's 'special king.'
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan travelled to Thailand last month to hand the king an inaugural award for his lifetime of dedication to rural development in Thailand, through thousands of royally-sponsored projects aiming at helping the nation's poorest and most downtrodden citizens.
Governments from around the world have sent messages of congratulations, and the world's royalty have descended on the kingdom.
They will observe the Royal Barge Procession - using 52 vessels manned by more than 2,000 oarsmen on the Chao Phraya River Monday - and join a royal banquet on Tuesday.
Britain's Prince Andrew was the first royal to arrive last week, using the opportunity to preside over various British business and trade functions prior to the celebrations.
On Saturday, Moroccan Princess Lalla Salma and Bhahraini Prime Minister Sheikh Khalif Bin Salman al-Khakifa arrived in Bangkok.
On Sunday and Monday royal arrivals included an emperor, kings, sheikhs, sultans and their representatives from Belgium, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Denmark, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Qatar, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Tonga and the United Arab Emirates.
Each visiting royal has been given a special motorcade escort from the airport to their hotels, requiring the clearing of all traffic from the highway.
The myriad motorcades have promoted airlines to warn their more normal customers to come to Bangkok airport four hours in advance if they want to make their flights on time or be there to pick up ordinary people arriving.
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