The Soul of a Nation

There is one speciality in Thai people. They love their King and the Royal Family with the purest heart and soul. That’s why the insistent political unrest that began on 24^th November this year was put off the shelf at least for today. So, any citizen creating messiness on this particular day is considered dishonouring their King.  

On 5^th December 1927, a unique Prince was gifted to the people of Siam. Known by the name Prince Bhumibol, he was the third child and second son to Their Royal Highnesses Prince Mahidol of Songkla and Mohm Sangval Chookramol. The prince was a direct descendant of King Chulalongkorn (known to Thais as Rama V) that belonged to the Chakri Dynasty.

Since his childhood days, the Prince had an exceptional interest in the items that possessed electrical and mechanical functioning besides his keen interest in music, painting, photographing, and sculpturing. But this wasn’t surprising when he suddenly read Science in a prestigious Lausanne University in Switzerland.   

Life as a Prince, as many would dream, was otherwise for this Massachusetts born. His father has passed away when he was barely two years old. To add insult to injury, his elder brother Prince Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) who had officially presided as a king in 1935 met with an unexpected death in his private chamber.   

Prince Bhumibol was then only 19 when he shouldered the responsibility as Rama IX after his coronation on 5^th May 1950. That same year, he was married to a beautiful young lady Mohm Rajawongse Sirikit who also shared a Royal Lineage. 

"The Soul of a Nation", King Bhumibol Adulyadej 

Thailand was politically unstable before His Majesty the King Bhumibol took over the throne. But the hands of destiny have prepared the King to make Thailand witness secured stability and as a sovereign nation within a short period of time.

Today, His Majesty the King Bhumibol is highly revered by his people not because he is a ceremonial figure but for his unwavering dedication to improving the lives of the people. Now the world's longest-reigning monarch, King Bhumibol is the greatest source of happiness for the people and the constant light that guide the righteous living.  

In records, there is no province left without his footprints. He has personally traveled all the 75 provinces to hear his people speak, share their troubles and double their happiness. That quality of humanity, godliness and kindness in his heart is one thing many people love this rarest monarch.

He has over 3000 Royal Projects established and financed from his own funds. Resulted from the consultations of his people in different provinces, establishing such a grant project for their welfare was never taxing due to his science and engineering background. One such initiative was introducing irrigation and dam that improved the crop yield for the rural people beyond compare.

A citizen crying after listening to His Majesty's speech 

Besides, there are myriad selfless contributions bestowed by this noble monarch ranging from the field of agriculture to the environment, education to health care, economy to security, and equity to human rights. For these noble deeds, people have revered him with thousands of titles and to name a few are Thailand's Working Monarch, Champion of the Environment and Champion of Rural Development. But these terms are still a portion of the fraction that can in reality qualify to describe what His Majesty the King symbolizes to his people.

His Majesty’s name Bhumibol Adulyadej in Thai stands for ''Strength of the Land, Incomparable Power''. As the name truly signifies, he is the strength of people’s love and unity. He is a God in human form and I am, therefore, not surprised to hear from the people that he is “The Soul of a Nation”. 

The cheering crowd waiting for His Majesty on his 86th birthday

Eventually, on his 85^th Birthday, I wish His Majesty longevity with a healthy soul till eternity. Let the prayers and wishes of all Thai people strengthen his life and always be the constant guiding star for Thailand in all times to come.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HIS MAJESTY.    

 “A good person can make another person good; it means that goodness will elicit goodness in the society; other persons will also be good” -His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej