:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/XC7O2KBCCJEY5MRI3BBDAORIAE.jpg)
Thai king leads thousands to remember late father's birthday
Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn greets supporters as he walks to participate in a candle lighting ceremony to mark the anniversary of the birth of late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, at Sanam Luang ceremonial ground in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. King Maha Vajiralongkorn, accompanied by Queen Suthida, waved as he arrived at Bangkok's Sanam Luang ceremonial ground. The king led the crowd in a candlelit tribute to his late father, whose giant image was at the center of the stage set up outside the ornate Grand Palace. Although King Bhumibhol Adulyadej died four years ago, his birthday remains on the national calendar as Fathers’ Day. In recent days, at least 12 protest leaders have been charged with royal defamation under the lese majeste laws.