The year 1987 brought another round of pomp and grandeur as the country celebrated His Majesty the King’s fifth cycle (60th) birthday. Among the events was the Royal Barge Procession to present Kathin Robes to monks at the Temple of Dawn, and four days of royal engagements from December 4-7 that included a Grand Audience in a purpose-built pavilion in Sanam Luang.
The government also declared 1987 as Visit Thailand Year to mark this auspicious event, igniting a major tourism campaign that would put Thailand on the map of the world’s top travel destinations for years to come.