Thailand celebrated King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 80th birthday Wednesday with festivities, prayers and a nationwide effort to wear yellow, the color that symbolizes devotion to the world’s longest reigning monarch.

Tens of thousands of people in yellow shirts, waving yellow flags packed the streets around the Grand Palace in Bangkok where the King made a rare public appearance from the balcony of his ceremonial Throne Hall, only the sixth such appearance in his 61-year reign.

Dressed in a gold brocade robe, the King stepped onto the balcony steadied by the arm of an attendant and took a seat in a golden throne as the crowd erupted in shouts of “Long Live the King!”

AP

The whole month of December will see celebrations for His Majesty.