Thursday, August 17, 2006

Thailand gift - 60 years on the throne

My colleague gave me a pretty cool gift, a 60 baht note commemorating the same number of years served on the throne by King Bhumibol Adulyadej. What is there that hasn't already been said about The King?
1) King Bhumibol is the world's longest-serving monarch.
2) King Bhumibol ascended the throne in 1946, after the mysterious death of his older brother.
3) He has reigned - holding few defined powers of his own - through 17 military coups, 20 different prime ministers, and 15 constitutions.
4) He has been relenting in his travels throughout Thailand earlier in his reign (and his strong personal interest in rural development increased his public profile and won him lasting admiration)
5) I used to have to stand up BEFORE a movie begins when-ever I went to the local Pattaya cinemas, to acknowledge all that the King has done (items 1-4 above)!

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