This morning didnt exactly start off as planned as I rolled over on my alarm and missed the events at 10:30am with the televised speach by the King. But shit happens and things don't really get underway till later anyway. 

      Soon after getting ready I made my way down to road leading to the grounds which while close are insane to get to and just plain suicidal today. You have to walk across the main road to get to the grounds and theres no lights so your basically playing frogger across 8 lanes of bangkok traffic on each side! I put myself in the middle of a group of thais and went with the flow each time hoping for the best. Being only noon time things where just really getting set up and the place had more of a feel of a state fair than anything else but knew that would change later. The crowds where already in the thousands many coming to see various expos and temple sights brought here for the event.

     I was making my way around just gazing around when I saw a couple guys shying away from a few reporters for local TV. They where doing interviews with the few farang here to see why they came and if they knew what day it was etc. I figured if there was ever a time I could be on TV and not care its in thailand since no one I know will see it. While the guy shown here got the most time I still think Im making a Thai television debut around 11pm haha.

     Further along many families where gathering along various galleries erected to the king and taking pictures almost all with umbrellas for the sun. Still cracks me up to see but its incredibly effective. My head sure would like me to carry around one.

     Right in the center of the grounds leading up to the grand palace is a stage erected in the style of the palace ready to host live music later on. Its a beautiful center stage and really from far away almost looks like an attraction of its own. I almost though it was a entrance for something at first.

     I found out the schedule of events for the day later and back in my room decided to hang out a bit before going back around 5pm to enjoy the start of a long night. For the first time ever the grand palace is going to be open to the public at night and not only that but free as well. Also around 7pm theres a giant candle lighting ceremony I heard about where thousands of candles in balloons are let off to float into the sky at night creating what I can only imagine if an awesome effect. Have to wait and see....