Love for the King

Post by **Jaime** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 7:26 pm

The Thai peoples' love for their King really knows no bounds. I found this thread on the BBC web site which demonstrates the strength of feeling. Some may find the comments naive and there is an element of the 'Thai Rak Thai' mentality but I must admit I find the sincerity of many of them to be deeply moving:

http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread. ... #paginator

Post by **PeteC** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 8:39 pm

You should be here Jaime watching the festivities on TV today and tonight. Simply breath taking. The 52 Royal barge procession on the Chao Praya, the film tribute to the King concerning his 3,000+ projects over the past 60 years, the light/water show on the river this evening, with kratongs and fire kites, just like at Loy Kratong. Much pomp and circumstance but done very, very tastefully. Whoever put this together did an outstanding job, and you're right, the love just flows from what one is seeing here these days.

Pete

Post by **PeteC** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 9:25 pm

UPDATE: I didn't see it as in my office here on this machine...but the wife came running in saying that the King stumbled when leaving the festivities this evening and had to be caught. Then, stumbled again with his next steps. The cameras caught it and televised it. All this may be too much for him, five straight days with the final tomorrow. I think you HH residents will see him in residence there for a long time after this is all over, resting and recuperating.

78 is very old for any Thai man, regardless of the constant medical attention he gets. When his times comes, this country is going to go into mourning for years. Pete

Post by **Rider** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 7:03 pm

prcscct wrote:UPDATE: I didn't see it as in my office here on this machine...but the wife came running in saying that the King stumbled when leaving the festivities this evening and had to be caught. Then, stumbled again with his next steps. The cameras caught it and televised it. All this may be too much for him, five straight days with the final tomorrow. I think you HH residents will see him in residence there for a long time after this is all over, resting and recuperating.

78 is very old for any Thai man, regardless of the constant medical attention he gets. When his times comes, this country is going to go into mourning for years. Pete

When that time comes I fear for how a lot of things will pan out, namely for fledgling expat communities. We have no real barometer to measure how the kings successors will view the falang. Or have others gleaned into this already?

Post by **PeteC** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 8:28 pm

My opinion? The King apparent has some "history" but, he is tuned into the western world more than those in the past have been. I wouldn't worry about his thinking concerning expats, I would worry about if the people and the "wolves ie, the elected government, will respect him and listen to him. I think we may have 2-3 years of a "learning curve" and then...what I know about his personality, he may be much more aggressive than his father concerning his actions. I don't think he is going to sit back and just watch what the elected government is doing. Pete

Post by **Jim** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 8:49 pm

The BBC, bless them, managed to give His Majesty's jubilee 15 seconds of air time at the weekend, illustrated by a film clip of Mr T.

Post by **Jaime** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:12 pm

prcscct wrote:he is tuned into the western world more than those in the past have been.

I know it was a long time ago now but he was born and spent his formative years in Cambridge, Massachusets, US of A, after all!

Post by **Jaime** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:14 pm

Sorry Pete - just re-read your post - I now realise you were talking about the current heir who was not born in USA, as far as I know.

Post by **Jockey** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 10:06 pm

Sorry, but I can not help think the Thai people are both brainwashed and forced to love the king. If you do not stand during the national anthem to respect the king you can be arrested. If you say anything bad about the king your life can be destroyed. There are adverts on TV promoting the king. Why the need for all the propoganda if everyone already loves the king?

No Thai in their right mind would say anything against the king in public. Even the Ferangs need to put pictures of the king on the walls in their places of work. Why? To show respect"? .... or to gain acceptance?

Since I have been in Thailand I have never heard one word against the king. Is that a good sign or not? Is that because of fear or because of love?

Post by **Guess** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 12:21 am

I can only speak for myself.

I have pictures of the King and his family and his ancestors hanging in my house. I made the decision myself and it was appoved by my wife. It was done as a show of respect for the the man and the current represenative a one of the greatest dynasties on earth.

O fcourse the readily available copies of these usually tastefule pictures make it an easy and acceptable way to decorate you abode.

I have never heard of anybody being put under pressure to do so.

Post by **Jaime** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 12:31 am

Jockey wrote:Since I have been in Thailand I have never heard one word against the king. Is that a good sign or not? Is that because of fear or because of love?

Jockey, I have lived in the UK with my Thai wife for six years. There is no pressure to say the right thing here. We know each other really well and trust me from the discussions I have had with her about the king the devotion really is genuine and unconditional. Fear just doesn't come into it - in fact it couldn't be further from the truth.

Post by **PeteC** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 1:30 pm

Jaime wrote:Sorry Pete - just re-read your post - I now realise you were talking about the current heir who was not born in USA, as far as I know.

I'm pretty sure he was educated there though. He was just in the States for the funeral of his "mentor" as the news put it. I think some kind of retired US military general who took him under his wing for many years while he was there. Pete

Post by **PeteC** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 1:37 pm

Jaime wrote:
Jockey wrote:Since I have been in Thailand I have never heard one word against the king. Is that a good sign or not? Is that because of fear or because of love?
Jockey, I have lived in the UK with my Thai wife for six years. There is no pressure to say the right thing here. We know each other really well and trust me from the discussions I have had with her about the king the devotion really is genuine and unconditional. Fear just doesn't come into it - in fact it couldn't be further from the truth.

During these recent festivities they interviewed many Thai officials who have worked with the King over the years. The one that sticks out in my mind was the head of the Royal Police force who worked everyday with the King for 12 years. He said "...After 12 years I am totally convinced that the only reason His Majesty is alive and remains alive is to serve his people...". I think that sums up very well who and what this man is, and how the entire population thinks and feels. Pete

Post by **Bamboo Grove** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 6:18 pm

If you have a chance read "The Revolutionary King" by William Stevenson (it's banned in Thailand, though but available in Malaysia.) It tells how important the King has been to Thailand during his reign.

Post by **PeteC** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 9:19 pm

For those wishing to learn more about certain subjects mentioned in this thread, see below link and, click on other names to expand. A lot of reading but an education for sure. Not too many foreigners know all of this. Pete

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maha_Vajiralongkorn

PS: I do strongly ask however that no one comes back with insulting or outlandish replies. Not good for HHAD.