The King and I

Thailand isn’t just a country- it’s also a Kingdom. The Royal Family, particularly His Majesty the King and his wife, are institutions of Thailand. The King’s real name is Bhumibol Adulyadej, and he also goes by His Majesty the King and Rama IX. Everywhere in the country there are signs of the people’s love for him and his family. On Monday, the crowds of people become seas of yellow, which is the King’s color. Many men wear lavish gold necklaces with the image of the king and a good majority of vehicles have window stickers expressing their love for him. Photos adorn practically every shop.

In my Thai Language and Culture class we had a discussion about Thai people and the King. The professor, a young Thai lady, said that the King is seen as the center of the country, and also the father. It’s no coincidence that Father’s Day and Mother’s Day in Thailand fall on the King and Queen’s birthdays. Since he is the father of the country, insulting him is seen as insulting the entire country. Every Thai resource I found before my departure specifically said not to insult the king. However, I’m fairly certain that there are laws with harsh penalties enforcing this taboo.

I was a little disappointed when I heard that the love for the King isn’t exactly 100% natural due to the law enforcement, but it’s still easy to be moved by all the adoration for the king. Book stores sell CDs of jazz music composed by the king, which he says to do to show his love for the people. Although he rarely interferes with politics, he does so in the time of crisis in support of the common people.

By far the most touching tribute is at the cinema. After half an hour of commercials that begin when the film should be actually starting, a short film on the king begins. Everyone in the crowd rises, and then a beautiful orchestra piece with a choir begins. Pictures of the king hung up in all aspects of Thai life, from country homes to city stores, are shown. We see the King as a photographer, newly crowned at the age of 23 and recent photos of him approaching his 80^th birthday, which is this December 5^th. At the end of the short film, the crowd nods their head in respect. It’s impossible not to be moved, but the following loud commercial which advertises an energy drink takes away from the effect.