This final multimedia extravaganza, "The Light of Hope and Loyalty", is being hosted by the Royal Thai Army to celebrate His Majesty the King's 60th year on the throne and will take place this evening by Muang Thong Thani Lake.

The 47-minute show, conducted by Glorious Firework International, combines live performance and multimedia and is divided into four acts: "The Greatest Dream", "Following in the King's Footsteps", "The Light of Loyalty" and "The Prosperity of Thailand". These portray His Majesty's life, activities and projects for the good of the people over six decades.

The highlight, though, will be the fireworks, which will be lighted in the last act.

Against a background of water, 8,000 fireworks will light the sky, the greatest

number ever set off in the world.

While last week's three firework displays were large in their way, in this one the seven-centimetre to 30cm fireworks will shoot up to 400 metres non-stop for 20 minutes.

Kicking off the night at 5pm will be the Army orchestra.

A candle-lighting ceremony in honour of the King starts at 7.10pm, followed by the multimedia show at 7.20pm.

The 11,000 seats for VIP guests have sold out, but a 30-rai plot just 200 metres behind the VIP area will cater for more than 50,000 people, providing them with the same view.

Other areas inside Muang Thong Thani will accommodate more than 100,000.

Shuttle buses laid on by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority will run three routes, from the Victory Monument, Chatuchak Station and the BMTA terminal near Wat Phra Sri Mahathat to Muang Thong Thani.

The last bus leaves each at 5.30pm.

The multimedia show will be broadcast live on Channel 5 and TGN Channel between 7 and 8.10pm for viewers in 170 countries.

This is one of the weekend's final events to mark the King's 60 years on the throne. The past week has been filled with glittering spectacles.