More than 100 000 people lined the streets around Bangkok's glittering Grand Palace on Wednesday to cheer Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej as he celebrated his 80th birthday. The crowds, dressed in yellow shirts and waving flags emblazoned with a royal emblem, lined the broad tree-fringed avenues leading to the palace.
Army installed Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on Friday warned Thailand to brace for months of political unrest, saying new attacks could follow the deadly New Year's Eve blasts in Bangkok. "Based on the information that I have, the public must keep vigilant and alert for a period of at least a month or two," he told reporters.