Grandmother Sa-ngiam, 88, said she had been at the spot before noon and bought a wheelchair from nearby Wat Pho, where she spent Wednesday night.

She said she had greeted HM the King countless times but she was still happy to have such a memorable experience again. She had taken leave from the senior-citizen residence of Ban Bangkhae.

Suchanaree Darasom, 56, came from the Nong Chok district, on the outskirts of Bangkok, and had waited for HM the King since 2pm.

Five relatives were arriving from Ayutthaya last night and staying overnight with her at the Royal Plaza, where the King and his Royal Family members will today address the public near the Anantasamakhom Throne Hall.

At 6pm, after the merit-making ceremony, about 200 people waited at the Royal Plaza to greet HM the King as he was driven back to his residence at Chitlada Palace. They included those who watched a live broadcast of the ceremony on two large screens and those who walked around taking photos of the decorations.

Some people came with mats with a plan to stay overnight. They wanted to reserve their places with the best views for today's event when the King addresses the Thai people.

Pancharee Marprasert, 55, from Nakhon Sawan, said she had come with five of her family members and had arrived at the plaza at 2pm.

They had prepared clothes and food for their overnight stay.

"If the officials do not allow us to stay, we will have to wander around the area until morning," she said.

"The King is everything to me. For once in my lifetime, I want to greet him. I might not have a second chance to greet him and all his family members like this."

Kornchanok Raksaseri

The Nation