H.M. THE QUEEN'S 6TH CYCLE ANNIVERSARY
August 11,2004 turned out to be a day with a great difference for the group of 12 teachers and students selected to attend a general audience with Her Mejesty whose birthday this year was marked by an unprecedented change in palace protocol by allowing a broad spectrum of people from across Thailand to join in the celebrations. At the palace grounds, resplendent with the shine of fresh rainwater on esplanades of grass and trimmed gardens, people from the North, South, East and West came to greet their Queen, to fete her and to venerate her. In the ceremonial hall where the Queen addressed those who assembled to greet her and listen to her address, the rank and file of Thai life waited in keen anticipation for Her Majesty to arrive and to speak to them and to the nation as a whole. Inner addresstothe nation, Her Majesty spoke of how she was schooled by her parents to appreciate the little and great things of life. She shared with her listeners memories of her childhood days, the lessons she had learned about how life was to be treasured, how education valued and how the Thai way of life - "Thai namchai" was made the cornerstone of tolerance, forgiveness and true sharing. On a truly historic occasion the Queen chose to espouse the virtues of humility and good human conduct as a central message to her people. Emerging from the ceremonial hall and flanked by all the royal sibling, Her Majesty then deigned to spend a few moments with her subjects who were overwhelmed with emotions as they greeted her and called her Mother. As the Queen's motorcade departed throngs of people, great and small were united in their love, praise and greetings for their graceful Queen who in her life has stood for family values, humility and true pride in Thai heritage and culture.
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