Showing posts with label 88 Years old. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 88 Years old. Show all posts

Friday 14 October 2016

Truly the King of hearts

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The longest-reigning monarch won the devotion of his subjects with his commitment to their welfare
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HIS MAJESTY King Bhumibol Adulyadej rose to the greatest heights in modern Thai history and was, in his lifetime, the pillar and soul of his nation.
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Like his grandfather King Rama V, His Majesty made enormous contributions to his country, commanding deep love and loyalty from his people. He was the guiding light, helping his Kingdom in times of crisis time and again.
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During his seven-decade-long reign, His Majesty peacefully defused several political situations, such as the tumult in October 1973 and Black May in 1992 - something no Thai politician was able to accomplish then or later.
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His reign spanned the terms of more than 30 governments, several military regimes, coups and numerous coup attempts, and even the defeat of the communist threat that raged through Southeast Asia a few decades ago.
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At the time of his passing yesterday, he was the world's longest-reigning monarch and had been recognised with several international awards for his contributions in various fields. Among the honours were the UNDP Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award, Time magazine's "Asian Hero King Bhumibol Adulyadej for Shaping the Asia of Our Times" and the World Intellectual Property Organisation Global Leaders Award.
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In an unprecedented gathering of royalty, the kings, queens and royal representatives from 26 countries arrived at the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall in Bangkok in 2006 to pay tribute to His Majesty on the 60th anniversary of his accession to the throne.
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In Thailand, he was considered the father of many innovations and technology.
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These accolades, however, pale before his significance to the Thai people - he was their inspiration, their leading light, and the King of their hearts.
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His Majesty won the hearts of his subjects because he fully honoured his oath of accession: "We shall reign with righteousness, for the benefits and happiness of the Siamese people." This oath was taken on the day of his coronation in 1950, when His Majesty was just 23.
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Born on December 5, 1927 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, His Majesty was the third and youngest child of Their Royal Highnesses Prince Mahidol of Songkhla and Princess Srinagarindra. He spent much of his childhood overseas, visiting Thailand sometimes with his older brother King Ananda Mahidol to see their country and their elderly grandmother HM Queen Savang Vadhana.
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The younger royal never expected to become a monarch, but had to take over after his brother's untimely death on June 9, 1946.
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He was once quoted as saying after his brother's death: "I had never thought of becoming a king. I only wanted be your younger brother".
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After King Ananda's passing, the course of the younger royal's life changed completely. He had to change his subject of education from science to political science and law, so he could equip himself with proper knowledge for his reign.
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After completing his education in Switzerland, His Majesty returned for the royal coronation and faithful devotion to his country and his people. For most of his reign, His Majesty travelled the length and breadth of the Kingdom, visiting the poorest and remotest corners to learn about the problems faced by his people.
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During his travels, the beloved monarch spoke to his subjects and most importantly, listened to them. He learned of their needs and problems first hand and set about trying to find a way to give immediate help, before studying the issue in depth to find a permanent solution.
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He had to stop making these trips only after his health began to fail. Yet, even during his time at Siriraj Hospital, the beloved monarch read reports on issues affecting his people and gave advice when he could.
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Since 1952, His Majesty initiated more than 3,000 innovative programmes in agriculture, environment, public health, water resources, communications, public welfare, occupational promotion and education with the aim of easing the lives of Thai people.
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He also actively promoted sustainable development and the philosophy of sufficiency economy.
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His Majesty passed away peacefully at the age of 89 yesterday. He is survived by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit and their four children.
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His death has plunged the nation into mourning. But the revered monarch will live in the hearts of Thai people forever.

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Source: The Nation
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Sunday 6 December 2015

Thais celebrate their love for nation's father


MILLIONS of Thais nationwide wore yellow shirts yesterday as they joined various activities to mark the birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whom they regard as the country's unifying figure and father. 

 His Majesty's birthday has also been celebrated for decades as Father's Day.

Yellow is the traditional Thai colour for Monday, the day the King was born.

Avenues in the capital and main streets in the provinces were decorated with lights and festooned with the King's image.

On this auspicious day, Thais went to temples to make merit, give alms, donate money and items to the less privileged and carried out charitable acts in honour of the highly revered monarch.

"I have a deep love for the King and want him to be healthy," said Suchada Charan, a retiree from Bangkok, after giving alms to Buddhist monks in honour of the King’s birthday. "Father's Day in Thailand is the King's day. He is our father," she said.

In Kanchanaburi's Sangkhla Buri district, a village of 150 Karen sang a song specially written by a teacher in the Karen language to wish the King continued longevity and good health.

In Chiang Mai, more than 500 people donated blood at the Red Cross.

In Phetchaburi, revellers took free boat trips to catch a glimpse of bruda whales as part of the charitable "Boat for Dad" event.

In many provinces "Bike for Dad" T-shirts were handed out ahead of Friday's staging of the nationwide cycling event honouring the King.

At the Police General Hospital, five poor people were given renal replacement therapy for free to mark the day.

In Phitsanulok, more than 60 food stalls provided free vegetarian meals.
 Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha chaired the candle-lighting ceremony at Sanam Luang last night.

Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn |yesterday led a number of religious and |royal ceremonies to mark the King's birthday. He will lead more than 600,000 people in |the "Bike for Dad" event next Friday (December 11).

A similar cycling event was held in August to honour Her Majesty the Queen's birthday.

The King did not make a public appearance on his birthday as he normally would. He was last seen in public on September 1. He cancelled a public appearance to mark his birthday last year on medical advice.

The King has spent the past few months at Siriraj Hospital, where he was treated for "water on the brain", or hydrocephalus, a build-up of cerebro-spinal fluid that surrounds the brain.

A large number of people gathered at the hospital yesterday to offer their good wishes to the King on his birthday. Many of them shouted "Long live the King" near the building where he now lives.

His Majesty is the third oldest monarch in the world, after Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, who is 89 years old, and Malaysia's King Abdul Halim, who turned 88 last week.

The King's reign of 69 years is the longest for a living monarch, followed by Elizabeth II and Abdul Halim, who have ruled for 63 and 57 years respectively.
Source: The Nation
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