Today Thailand's beloved King turns 83, after several years of challenges for His Majesty; with a political crisis in 2005-6, a coup in 2006, and yet another crisis in 2008 who knows what state the country would be in today without the moderating influence of the King who has already been proclaimed Bhumibol the Great.Then, of course, there was that video that caused so much trouble on YouTube (so much that it caused YouTube to be banned in Thailand) followed by the ill health and subsequent death of his beloved sister, Princess Galyani Vadhana - not to mention an ongoing health crisis of his own.
As usual, though, the King is weathering it with grace and aplomb - and with the serene presence of Queen Sirikit beside him; he even managed to emerge from one hospital stay a fashion plate, making pink pajamas the must-have garment for patriotic Thai men.
Currently the longest-reigning monarch in the world, the ninth sovereign of the Chakri Dynasty ascended the throne in June 1946 following the mysterious death of his brother Ananda Mahidol.
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2 comments:
Cool hat!
(Holy Moses)
Javier
I hate to double post but I felt obliged to mention that the Thai Navy purchased a brand new aircfrat carrier back in the '90s, in this case from Spain, and was named after the Royals as "Chakri Naruebet".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTMS_Chakri_Naruebet
Sadly enough the economic crisis back then hit really hard and payments stopped. I remember eating lots of spicy thai octopus, no wonder...
Javier
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