THE KING AND I

2006 is an important year for the folks here in Thailand because it marks the 60th anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's ascension to the throne. This makes him by far the longest-reigning king in the country's history and the longest-reigning monarch in the world today. All year long Thais have been honoring him with a series of celebrations to mark his Diamond Jubilee.

King Bhumibol (also known as Rama IX) is very popular with Thais, even though the monarchy has been constitutional since 1932. He is revered for his leadership skills and his ability to reach out to the common man. His reputation as one of the hardest-working monarchs around is confirmed by a very famous photo on the cover of this magazine.



If you notice, the King has a drop of sweat hanging on the tip of his nose. To me, this doesn't seem like the way I usually see royalty portrayed. When I first saw this photo, I wondered why it wasn't airbrushed or Photoshopped out before publication. But to Thais, this image is proof of the endless toils and struggles that the King endures for his people.



One thing that anyone who visits Bangkok will immediately notice is that you cannot walk down the street without being bombarded with images of the king. They are everywhere and include elaborates signs on the sidewalks, overpasses and in front of stores and government buildings.











They can also be found in train stations:



In the windows of buses:



On the sides of office buildings:



Even at the entrance to the aforementioned Safari World:



There are probably more images of the King here than in Graceland (although I have yet to see one painted on black velvet).



At first I thought all of this signage was the result of the King's ego, or at best blind hero worship, but after talking to several local Thais I have learned that this is just not the case. Since he has been the only King most people have known, he is seen as sort of a father figure. For that reason, making negative remarks about the King or the royal family is considered social suicide and could land one into serious legal trouble. Quite simply: Thais love this guy.



The citizens of Thailand honor the King in a variety of ways, the simplest one is by wearing a yellow shirt. For the Diamond Jubilee, special yellow polo shirt and t-shirts with the royal emblam on the front were produced, and like images of the King, one doesn't have to go far to spot someone wearing this item.







Well-wishers also pledge their allegiance to the King on the backs of their yellow shirts:



And when an offical yellow polo shirt is not available, a simple plain one will do. Even though the shirt worn by the girl seen here does not bear the royal emblam, the message is still the same: she loves the King.



If one really wants to see a throng of yellow-shirted Thais in full force, Mondays are the best time to do it. Since Rama IX was born on Monday, December 5th, all Mondays in Thailand during 2006 have been deemed the prime day to show your love for the King.







(It should be noted that since Rama IX was born in 1927 in Cambridge, Massachusetts - his father was studying at Harvard at the time - he is also an American citizen. Perhaps he can run in our next Presidential election).



By the sheer amount of yellow shirts that I've seen, I'm starting to think that King Rama IX has outsold the Rolling Stones and their current Bigger Bang Tour in shirt transactions.



Shirts aren't the only way to get one's feelings for the king across. Buttons can also be worn:



The royal emblam can be used as wallpaper for your cell phone:



And a special VISA card can be ordered with a simple but direct message:



I have yet to see items like baseball caps, beanies, bandanas and fanny packs bearing the likeness of Rama IX, but who knows, they could be out there.

Rama IX is so popular that he is also known by two initials: HM (for His Majesty). A recent article in the Bangkok Post entitled "HM Hurt in Fall" contained quotes from citizens like "I was unhappy to see television coverage of the King's accident. I am willing to trade 10 years of my life for the King's strong health."

Somehow, I don't see GWB ever achieving that kind of loyalty. Heck, I don't think Ronald Reagan in his prime was ever THAT popular.

All of this adoration can seem confusing to foreigners, especially Americans like me who can get easily disillusioned with political rhetoric. But after giving it some thought, I feel that it is a good thing. In the U.S. it seems like the political system basically consists of two sides whose sole purpose is to piss off the opposition. In Bangkok, you can pass a total stranger on the street and if you're both wearing a yellow shirt you know you have a connection and the same ultimate goals. If a leader can inspire that kind of unity, then more power to him.



Long live the King!

For more information on Rama IX visit www.60thcelebrations.com