05/12/2013 10:52
Protest-hit Thailand marks king's birthday
Thailand is marking the 86th birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, amid a truce after days of violent demonstrations in the capital Bangkok, the BBC reported.
People have been cleaning the streets in the capital ahead of festivities, while local media report hundreds are lining the streets near one of the king's palaces.
There were violent clashes earlier in the week between police and protesters.
The demonstrators were demanding that the current government resign.
On Wednesday, some protesters, along with government forces, have been cleaning the area around the Democracy Monument in Bangkok, where celebrations for the king's birthday are expected to be held.
Thousands of people had headed to the town of Hua Hin, near the king's Klai Kangwon palace, in the hope of seeing him, the Bangkok Post reports.
Special bus and train services had been laid on by the transport ministry to bring people to the town, the paper says.
The kings traditionally delivers a speech to the nation on his birthday, and it will be scrutinised to see if he makes any reference to the political crisis.