BANGKOK, DEC 2: A record-breaking 572 international skydivers plummeted en masse, without injury or collision, on Bangkok's royal grounds today to mark Thai king Bhumibol Adulyadej's 72nd birthday.Organizers of the event said it was the largest mass jump by civilian parachuters since 1989, when 515 skydivers dove into the air over Indonesia. The joint jump was arranged by the World Team '99, drawing skydivers from 39 countries, to honour King Bhumibol's birthday on December 5.
They chose the number 572 to represent the king's birthday on December 5th, and his age of 72.
Thai army comnmander-in-chief General Surayudh Chulanon led the mass jump, which also included US general Hugh Shelton.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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