Thais turn to 1,066 turtles to celebrate new king's birthday

A well-wisher holds a sea turtle at the Sea Turtle Conservation Center as part of the celebrations for the upcoming 65th birthday of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, in Sattahip district, Chonburi province, Thailand, July 26, 2017. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

CHONBURI, Thailand (Reuters) - Hundreds of people gathered at a beach in Thailand on Wednesday to release 1,066 turtles into the sea as part of celebrations to mark the birthday of new King Maha Vajiralongkorn this week.

King Vajiralongkorn's July 28 birthday was announced by the military government as a public holiday this year.