The Kings Speech

[JW]

I have just had a converstation with a Thai friend about the address given by the King to politicians and dignatories last night. She told me that this was a very strong address and it seems that the King wants to address some of the politcal issues that are present here right now. I watched it, couldnt understand but did notice Mr Thaksin smile quite sheepishly on more than one occasion. If anyone can find a translation of the speech i think it would make for very interesting reading. I have tried on the web this morning but i am useless at finding stuff on here. Good luck and Happy Birthday to the King.

[buksida]

I've just posted this report from the Nation newspaper on it:

http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/vi ... php?t=2405

Yes a full translation would be good.

It seems to echo warnings he issued last year to Taksin with the sentiment that nobody is above criticism.

[Bamboo Grove]

I watched it for a while. The King was referring to the old English saying: "The King can do no wrong", saying this shouldn't be so. So he took himself as an example, saying that even he can be criticized but he should then know what he has done wrong and then proceded telling that other people, like the pm, in high places should accept critizism as well.

[dr dave soul monsta]

[The Bankok posts version ]

I want to be criticised, too, His Majesty says



His Majesty the King told Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday to be open to criticism and not to overreact when countering his critics. In a traditionally light-hearted, informal address to the cabinet, politicians and senior government officials marking his 78th birthday today, the King said the prime minister should stop responding to his critics on a daily basis.

The King did not go into detail, but said the distribution of DVDs and frequent television broadcasts to defend the prime minister had bored viewers, who preferred watching soap operas.

``The prime minister is taught by the law to counter criticism with criticism. It may not be nice for me to talk about this because it is a personal matter.

``I don't want to say what is right or wrong. Legal experts should know what is right or wrong. But there's no need to speak it every day,'' the King said.

In a show of his open mindedness, His Majesty told the audience at Dusitdalai Pavilion he also wanted to be criticised.

He expressed his disapproval of the old saying, ``the King can do no wrong''.

``Saying that is an insult to the King, as it shows the speaker does not regard the King as a human being,'' he said.

If there was anything he could agree to in that saying, it was that he, as the King, does no wrong _ because he was careful in thinking or doing anything.

``If you're not careful, you'll die, because you're in the public eye. Those eyes can kill if you're not careful. So the King can do no wrong because he must do no wrong,'' the King said.

Not only the King, but everyone of high position and honour must be careful, or the nation would be endangered.

He talked about the information given to newspapers, radio and TV _ that whatever the King does, one cannot criticise, that it's improper to do so and is prohibited by the constitution.

``But actually I do want criticism. I have to know if people agree or disagree with me when I'm doing things,'' he said.

He was not afraid of criticism, for ``being exempted from criticism means the King is not a human being''.

``Not being criticised does not mean that they think the King is good. Some may have it in mind that the King is saying something weird or strange. So I'd like to tell you that I can be criticised. But if they say I'm wrong, I want to know what the mistake is,'' he said.

The King then talked about his advice that Thailand needs a sufficiency economy, saying it is practical and urged the prime minister and his wife Khunying Potjaman to guide the cabinet to implement it.

``Those deputy prime ministers might not do it because they are accustomed to the money-oriented economy.

``The prime minister and Khunying may have to guide them through it, as it will help the country to survive the next 40 years,'' said the King.

He suggested the prime minister teach the parliament about a sufficiency economy, but he could skip the opposition because it had already adopted the concept. ``No need to teach the opposition. At least its former leader is a most sufficient person,'' the King said.

``He made the country spend only a little amount of money, and that wasn't enough so he had to leave the position.''

Everyone who had faith in sufficiency economy should practice it seriously because it really works, and could help the nation to survive.

He compared this to his Kam Ling (monkey's cheek) project that has proved successful.

``People were laughing when we first talked about Kam Ling, but not anymore. Because a monkey must have cheeks. Without cheeks, it can't survive. A man too must have cheeks, and they can be like those of the monkey,'' said the King.

As the monkey's cheeks could save water, a man's cheeks could save his words.

The King also touched on the prime minister's small irrigation projects known as Fai Maew (check dams), which upset the prime minister when they failed to save Chiang Mai from flooding.

He said it was because the project was not carried out correctly, and urged the government to study the success of the royally initiated dam project at Kui Buri in Prachuap Khiri Khan.

The King also stressed the importance of biodiesel development.

He thanked people for giving him their blessing, and wished that everyone, the government and the opposition, would not quarrel with each other.

``Do not overthink and overact. The nation can go on if you do your work properly,'' the King said.

App this is nothing Near what HM the King actualy said but merely skirts over the issues raised by His Majesty as does the report from The Nation

according to the wife he was blunt and to the point regarding the certain high ranking peoples recent behavour .

I cant guess who HM the King was refering to
A genuine and full translation would really be nice

[gaijin]

What an amazing speech. Most world leaders could benefit from such wisdom.

[dr dave soul monsta]

HM The King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej is one of the coolest cats in the world

He plays Sax and used to ride a Vespa GS Scooter one of the most sought after Vespa's around by the mod squad





And yes gaijin many could learn from his words but we only have a summary at present from two Bangkok based papers which a certain red faced person has a great deal of influence over, who many comments by the HM the King were aimed at so i can fully imagine we are certainly not getting the full story