Thailand's revered king today appealed to the people to work for the "stability and security" of the country but did not make any direct comment on the anti-government protests that has deeply polarised the Buddhist majority nation.
Anti-government protesters demanding the resignation of Premier Yingluck Shinawatra and security forces yesterday observed an uneasy truce on the eve of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 86th birthday.
However, tensions are running high as protesters have vowed to continue their fight after the celebrations end. At least five people have been killed and over 200 injured in clashes since the weekend.
The King said the country "has been peaceful for a long time because everybody worked together".
"Every Thai should be aware of this and should perform their role for the benefit of the country, which is the stability and security of the country," the world's longest ruling monarch said in the speech broadcast on all television channels.
The King, adored by all Thais, did not make any direct reference to the protests in his speech. The King is a constitutional monarch with no formal political role, but he is seen as a unifying figure for Thais.
The protesters accuse Yingluck of being a proxy for her elder brother, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in 2006 by the military and is in self-exile in Dubai.
The rallies were triggered by an amnesty bill, since abandoned by Yingluck's party, which the opposition claimed would have allowed Thaksin to return.
Premier Yingluck represented the government and Thai people to wish the King on his birthday.
Today's ceremony was held at the king's seaside palace in Hua Hin, about 190 km south of Bangkok, where he moved with Queen Sirikit after they left a hospital here in July after a four-year stay.
Hundreds of supporters shouted "long live the King!" and waved Thai national flags as the royal convoy made a brief tour of the town's streets before returning to the palace.
