The events, all held at Phuket Provincial Hall, began at 7:30am with a Buddhist service led by Phra Udom Wachiramongkol, the Phuket Provincial Abbot and Abbot of Wat Mongkol Nimit.
The service was followed by the traditional offering of alms to monks in the forecourt at Provincial Hall.
Joining the Governor in the merit-making activities were his wife, Ms Busadee, along with all the senior-ranking provincial officials and heads of provincial government departments and agencies, members of local volunteer organisations and some members of the public.
At 8:30am at the Mahisorn Phakdi Auditorium, also simply called the ‘Phuket Auditorium’, located at the Phuket Provincial Hall government complex, Governor Sophon led a ceremony to honour King Bhumibol and his great achievements throughout his 70-year reign.
In recognition of King Bhumibol’s accomplishments in agriculture, King Bhumibol’s birthday, Dec 5, is now commemorated annually by the United Nations as ‘World Soil Day’.
During the ceremony, Governor Sophon specifically honoured King Bhumibol’s grace, wisdom and compassion for the Thai people, and for his legacy of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy as a guideline for the people to live by.
Governor Sophon then led the congregation of leading provincial figures to pay homage to an image of King Bhumibol and placed ’Phan Phum’ (พานพุ่ม) as tributes of respect.
As is tradition, a candle-lighting ceremony will be held at the ‘Phuket Auditorium’ tonight. Other events honouring King Bhumibol are also being held across the island.
Although there is no ban on the sale of alcohol today, people are asked to be respectful of the auspicious occasion.