The Bhutanese Community in Thailand including students, Bhutanese working in Thailand and Embassy Officials and their family members gathered in the Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Bangkok on 11th November 2015 to celebrate the auspicious occasion of the 60th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. The daylong celebrations started off with “Lhabsang Thruesel” in the morning and ended with Tashi Lebey in the afternoon. Representative of Royal Thai Government including officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangkok Metropolitan Authority and invitees from the universities and institutions in Thailand also attended the celebrations. Dr. Arthit Ourairat, President of Rangsit University and Dr, Weerachai Nanakorn, Vice President of the Thailand-Bhutan Friendship Society participated as the guests of honours.
After singing the National Anthem and hoisting the National Flag which followed by offering of Marchang, Kutshab in his welcome address to the Bhutanese Community and other guests underscored the extraordinary achievements of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and the sacred legacy that has been bequeathed to the nation. Following that all participants sang the Zhabten of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. Sixty birds and balloons were released by Kutshab and guest of honours to pray for the long life and happiness of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo on his 60th Birth Anniversary. A cake cutting ceremony was also held to mark the 60th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty to the chorus of happy birthday song.
The assembled crowd of Bhutanese and other guests listened to His Majesty’s address from Changlimithang live on Bhutan Broadcasting Service and joined the whole nation when they erupted in loud cheers of joy as His Majesty the King broke the auspicious news of the conception of the Baby Prince.
The students from various universities show-cased a variety of cultural performances. To add fun to the day’s celebration and to make it participatory traditional games of khuru and soksum were also played out among the students and guests. A quiz competition and tub of war were also held in the afternoon and winners were awarded trophies. A lucky raffle draw was organized towards the end of the programme and attractive prizes including a free air ticket to Bhutan sponsored by Druk-Air were given.
The student’s association members and volunteers wholeheartedly supported the Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Bangkok in the preparations and organization of the celebration. Pictures of the celebration are attached.