Happy 60th Anniversary, King Rama IX!

We noticed the bright yellow wrist bands when we were in Chiang Mai. A la Lance Armstrong, they're being sold to honor the King's 60th Anniversary by the banks. Then came the flags. They're everywhere -- bright yellow flags with the King's crest (yellow is evidently the King's color, having been born on a Monday), usually accompanied by the flag of Thailand. People are hanging them on their gates, along the roadways, on major buildings, often with portraits of the King. Last week came the shirts. Most of them are Izod style golf shirts (very popular here) -- bright yellow, with the king's crest emblazoned on the pockets. On the first day I saw them, I must have counted two dozen in my short trip to work. Like everything in Thailand, there are "real" ones and knock-offs. The real shirts can only be purchased at places like the Grand Palace, with all proceeds going to the King's community development projects. The knock-offs can be had on any corner in Bangkok. (Real ones come with a golden King's crest sticker, and have a green stripe on the inner collar -- I know, having just purchased one to the delight of the sales people in the Grand Palace shop. Thais love when farang appreciate their King.)

In a country that regularly adores its King, Thailand is going king-crazy. King Rama IX will celebrate his 60th year as monarch this June -- perhaps the longest sitting King in history. Unlike the British monarchy, there's nothing but reverence for the King in public here, though it's illegal to write or say anything negative about the monarchy. But regardless, Thais really do seem to love King Rama IX. Places he's been (including wats, food stands, official monuments, community development projects) all proudly display pictures of his visit, detailing when and why he came, and the honor he bestowed upon the monks or villagers or citizens by his presence. He's an accomplished saxophonist who's played with the likes of Benny Goodman (chronicled in photographs in one of the King's mansions). He is also a skilled photographer, and often takes pictures of the communities he visits -- of the children, of the farming projects -- documenting and chronicling the needs of his people. By all accounts of those I've worked with here, he appears a truly humane and progressive presence in Thai society.

I'm going to miss the royal barge processions and the celebrations which will begin in late May. But I join the Thai people in wishing their King a very happy anniversary! May he live a long life and continue to bring wise counsel in this nation's turbulent times!