BANGKOK, June 10 (UPI) -- Thailand's king marked his 60th year in power with a palace speech urging all citizens to unite despite political strife and government disapproval.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej spoke from the balcony of the Ananta Samkhom Throne Hall, a rare event, while thousands sporting the monarchy's yellow watched from Royal Plaza Friday.
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, himself a lightning rod for anti-government protesters, led chants of "long live the King," China's state-run Xinhua news agency reports.
Opponents of the government want new elections and Thaksin gone.
The 78-year-old king is the longest serving monarch in the world and the longest in Thai history.
He told the crowd: "Unity is the basis for all Thais to help preserve and bring prosperity to the country."
The king took power June 9, 1946 although his coronation wasn't held until 1950.
