Paper sellers and newspaper offices have been swamped with people wanting copies of editions with the royal family displayed prominently on their front pages.

Kom Chad Luek, published by Nation Multimedia Group, was flooded with phone calls yesterday, the first full working day after the long holiday, from people who missed back issues of the paper.

Editor Chaliew Kongtuk said the most-wanted issue was last Saturday's, which featured a photo of HM the King on the balcony of the Ananta Samakhom with HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn appearing behind his chair with a camera in her hand.

"The issue stands out from other newspapers because the picture covers the entire front page. The issue sold out in a flash at all bookstalls and has now become a rare item," Chaliew said.

Many people had called asking if there were copies left, he said. The callers said they wanted to put the picture into a beautiful frame.

Spurred by the unprecedented high demand, Kom Chad Luek published another picture of the King and Queen at the public audience covering its entire front page on the following day's issue.

"From that day on, we decided to offer full-size cover pictures every day," Chaliew said.

Despite boosting their print-runs, the newspapers disappeared from news-stands at an astonishing rate. Some agents tried to regulate their sales by restricting sales to two copies per buyer.

Kom Chad Luek generally distributes 600,000 copies a day.

Chaliew said the editorial department was considering whether to republish the popular pictures on the paper's wrapping or to launch a special supplement of commemorative pictures.

The Nation also plans to produce a book and DVD featuring the memorable moments of the 60th anniversary celebration of His Majesty the King's accession to the throne. The decision follows readers' huge interest in keeping photos from the grand events.