BANGKOK, Dec 5 (Reuters) -- Hundreds of thousands of Thais turned out on Sunday to celebrate the 72nd birthday of revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who urged them to work in a spirit of compassion to ensure freedom, stability and prosperity.
Appearing in a golden robe on the balcony of his Italianate Anantasamakom Throne Hall, the world's longest reigning monarch said Thais should look into their hearts and minds to ask themselves if they were doing all they could for the country."When people have compassion, friendship and unity, they speak and think in a constructive way to ensure national independence and prosperity," the king said.
"On this occasion, I would like to remind all to review and reflect on whether you still have sufficient virtue to uphold the unity and stability of the nation," King Bhumibol said in what was one of his shortest birthday speeches in years.
He was watched by sashed and beribboned government ministers and civil servants led by Prime Minster Chuan Leekpai and tens of thousands of ordinary citizens of Bangkok gathered in the plaza in front of the throne hall.
Hundreds of thousands of people also gathered in provincial capitals to hear the televised address, which millions more watched from home.
King Bhumibol, who has reigned since 1946, is a hugely popular monarch looked up to as a symbol of virtue, compassion and continuity in an often fractious political scene.
Although he is a constitutional monarch under parliament who reigns but does not rule, his birthday speeches, which he writes himself, are listened to closely by ministers and citizens alike.
In the lead up to his 72nd birthday, considered especially auspicious since it marks completion of his sixth 12-year Buddhist cycle, Bangkok and other Thai cities have been festooned with flags, bunting and royal portraits.
Many Bangkok taxi cabs and buses have raced around the city in recent days flying both the red, white and blue Thai flag and yellow royal banners.
Ordinary people waited for hours to catch a glimpse of the king on Sunday.
"I arrived here at 3 a.m. to get a chance to see his majesty when he travelled from the palace to throne hall," said a 65-year-old woman waiting by the roadside.
About 10,000 people, including the heads of state agencies, diplomats and foreign dignitaries, took part in a mass audience inside the throne hall.