Today is a big holiday in Thailand... the king's birthday. King Bhumibol Adulyadej is 78 years old today, born in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1927, and is the world's longest-reigning monarch, taking his place in 1946.I read an essay today about the king, and one line stuck out as to what the King means to Thai people: "His Majesty the King is well recognised as the heart and soul of the Thai nation."
My personal way of putting it, is that King Bhumibol is the link between the Thai people and the Thai nation and the embodiment and keeper of Thai culture.
My personal opinion of King Bhumibol is very high because he has been a very proactive and involved monarch, going around the country solving problems, enacting social welfare programs, and even acting in a scientific role by creating water aeration systems to enliven stagnant water, and cloud-seeding technology. It is exceptionally difficult to find another monarch in history who has been as peacefully beneficial to his people as this caring man.
Happy birthday!
1 comment:
Jil,
Well said- The king is a great man. I wonder what the USA would've/could've been with such a great leader?
Going to be at TQ2 tonight around 7pm by the way. Will be with John from the Reef and "burger" Bob will be hanging around too. Ask him to introduce us, hope to see you there.
-Franky
ps- what do you think about my blog so far?
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