Royal celebration of Thai king's 60th anniversary

Royalty from around the world began arriving Sunday in Thailand for the celebration of the 60th year of King Bhumibol Adulyade on the throne.

Among the royals expected to attend are Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, Jordan's King Abdulllah II and Spain's Queen Sofia.

On Sunday, Buddhist monks blessed the king in an ancient ritual held at Bangkok's Grand Palace that was televised nationwide.


Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej along with Queen Sirikit wave from the balcony of Dusit Palace. AFP photo from Yahoo News.

Celebrations honoring the 78-year-old king will last until Tuesday.

Other guests who have already arrived in the country are Bahrain's Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa, Britain's Prince Andrew and Morocco's Princess Lalla Salma.




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Japanese emperor visits Singapore on Southeast Asian tour

Japan's Emperor Akihito and wife, Empress Michiko met with Singpaore's President S.R. Nathan and Mrs. Nathan during a state welcome Friday.


Japan's Emperor Akihito, left and Empress Michiko, are welcomed by Singapore's President S.R. Nathan and his wife Urmila on June 9, 2006. Reuters photo from Yahoo News.

The Japanese Emperor and Empress are on a tour of Southeast Asia in which they will also visit Malaysia and Thailand. They have visited Singapore twice before in 1970 and 1981.

Japan recently has made overtures towards the formation of a pan-Asian trade forum. Singapore was the first nation that Japan signed an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with in 2002.


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Residents flee as Mount Merapi flares up again

About 15,000 people fled as Indonesia's Mount Merapi came to life again emitting bright hot gas and ash clouds down its southern slope Thursday.

The activity on Thursday was the most violent since the volcano began acting up weeks ago.


An Indonesian Air Force photo of Mount Merapi spewing hot ash and gas clouds. AFP photo from Yahoo News.

Merapi's dome has swelled and it is feared that the recent earthquake in Bantul may have weaked the formation making the possibility of an eruption somewhat more likely.

Indonesian officials raised a red alert around the mountain three weeks ago but some residents have been reluctant to leave their farms and livestock.


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