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by - Cindy, Phoenix, AZ, USA
The Thais Love their King
One thing you will have definitely noticed in Thailand is the abundant images of His Majesty, The King of Thailand and other members of the Royal Family. King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, also known as Rama IX, appears on monuments, billboards, banners, calendars, posters and murals in every corner of the country. In fact I can’t recall ever entering any business establishment or home in all my time in this country without seeing an image of His Majesty. He is represented in a range of both ceremonial and casual clothing, in a number of situations, both active and passive, and at various times in his long and illustrious reign.
The reason for the vast quantity of images on display is quite simple. The Thais love their King. In fact, he is viewed as semi-divine and is universally adored in Thailand. Not too long ago, the King celebrated his 60th anniversary as Thailand’s Monarch, the longest serving Monarch in the modern world, making a rare public appearance after recent health concerns. The streets were lined with thousands of Thais hoping to catch a glimpse of him as his motorcade moved from the Rajitvej Hospital to the Royal Palace. I was there to witness the scenes and the adulation poured upon him was overwhelming, with many spontaneously bursting into tears of happiness just at the sight His Majesty. The joy he bought to the people and the positive energy he generated was something I have never experienced before. Ask any Thai person what they think of their King and I guarantee you that a huge smile will appear and you will be told how much they love him and what an extraordinary ruler he has been.
All in all it has been, and continues to be, a quite remarkable reign from a quite remarkable man and he has certainly earned the respect and love of his people. Those visiting Thailand are also expected to show the King due respect and doing so will certainly endear you to the Thai people. Foreigners in Thailand are granted a range of freedoms and privileges perhaps not available to them in their home countries but it must be noted that there is a firm expectation that King is afforded the highest respect from foreigners and anything less will not be tolerated. In Thailand the lese majeste laws are rigidly enforced. These laws prohibit anyone from acting in a way that undermines His Majesty’s authority, and this includes public criticism and any defacement of his image. Interestingly, he has no power to charge anyone but all other Thais are permitted to do so on his behalf. The King himself during his birthday speech in 2005 challenged the law: “Actually, I must also be criticised. I am not afraid if the criticism concerns what I do wrong, because then I know. Because if you say the king cannot be criticised, it means that the king is not human”, he said. “If the king can do no wrong, it is akin to looking down upon him because the king is not being treated as a human being. But the king can do wrong.” Despite this there have been no serious calls to repeal these laws, but this King has routinely pardoned a number of those prosecuted where he has felt it appropriate. But this does not give foreigners carte blanche in showing disrespect. In 2007 an intoxicated Swiss tourist rather stupidly decided to daub black paint over a number of portraits and was sentenced to ten years imprisonment. The best way for tourists to avoid offending anyone is to avoid talking about politics or the Monarchy altogether. Even well intentioned comments in jest may cause misunderstandings and obviously it is best to avoid conflict through displaying a lack of respect for the Thai people and the institution of the Monarchy.
Thailand has two national songs that a visitor to Thailand is likely to hear. The first is the National Anthem called Phleng Chat Thai and is played in public places at 8am and 6pm. If a visitor is somewhere such as a BTS Sky Train station, a public park or anywhere with a public broadcasting system at one of these times they will notice that the Thai will stand up if they are sitting or just stand still until it has finished playing. To show respect a tourist should do the same if possible. You should take your cue from the locals though as you would not be expected to miss your train or get hit by a car standing in the middle of the road!
Here is an English translation of Phleng Chat Thai taken from Wikipedia:
Thailand unites flesh and blood of Thais.
Nation of the people; belonging to the Thais in every respect.
Long maintained [has been] the independence
Because the Thais seek, and love, unity.
Thais are peace-loving;
But at war we’re no cowards.
Sovereignty will not be threatened
Sacrificing every drop of blood for the nation
Hail the nation of Thailand, long last the victory, Chai Yo (Cheers).
The other song you may hear played publicly is the Royal Anthem called Phleng Sansoen Phra Barami. This is played at major state occasions or when ever there is a member of the Thai Royal family attending a function. It is also played at the beginning and end of scheduled television programming and at the beginning of a play, musical, concert or film. It is at the cinema where a tourist is most likely to observe this wonderfully rousing and patriotic anthem accompanied by images of Thai people working together to achieve success or overcome adversity. It still gives me goose bumps every time I see and hear it. Because it is a Royal Anthem everybody is expected to stand without exception (unless one is incapacitated). In 2008 a Thai citizen was charged and sentenced under the lese majeste laws for refusing to stand in a cinema and there have been unofficial reports of tourists being roughly ejected from cinemas by Thai movie goers outraged by their refusal to stand and pay respect to the King.
Here is a translation of the Royal Anthem, Phleng Sansoen Phra Barami , taken from Wikipedia:
I, subject of His great Majesty,
Prostrate my heart and head,
To pay respect to the King, whose merits are boundless,
Sole and supreme Sovereign,
The greatest of Siam,
The greatest in honor,
(We are) joyous because of the royal rule,
The fruits of your merits preserve
The people in happiness and peace,
May it be that
whatever He wills,
be done
according to the hopes of His great heart
as we wish Him victory, hurrah!
Yep, the Thais truly are a proud nation and they sure do love their King. As any international traveler will agree, it makes sense to respect the local beliefs, customs and traditions of the country being visited. Thailand is a very relaxed place but there is no latitude given to those who fail to respect the one institution that the Thai people universally love and respect, and that is the Monarchy.
Long Live the King.
by Bryan Daysh, a freelance writer living in Thailand.
Read more articles in our ongoing education series:
Smiling Will Make Your Thailand Holiday
Giving, Maintaining and Saving Face in The Land of Smiles – Part 1
Giving, Maintaining and Saving Face in The Land of Smiles – Part 2
Thais, Money & Shopping, Part 1
Thais, Money & Shopping, Part 2
What’s with the Wai?
The Thais Love Their King
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