Monday, June 19, 2006
Long Live The King
..... no not that one, the King of Thailand! Well that is what it said in virtually every shop window, car, TV programme and even on those hideously annoying plastic bracelets. We are not sure how well this event was publicised around the world but it was certainly big here in Bangkok. King Rama IX is the worlds longest reigning living monarch and it was at the time that we arrived in Thailand that the party to celebrate his 60th anniversary of his accession to the throne was really getting started. He seems to be adored by virtually every Thai person as his picture was posted on almost any flat surface available (including 15 stories high on a building) as well as huge monuments at traffic lights and road junctions. Traffic in Bangkok is notoriously dreadful but add in several road closures into the equation as the climax to the big event was held and you are lucky if you can even get to the end of your street. As we moved out of Bangkok the story was much the same, flags and banners everywhere. This is definitely one big event where everyone wants a ticket to the party.There was also some kind of unwritten rule, or maybe a new law that has been brought in especially for the occasion!, that required you to wear yellow although we declined as it doesn't show off our complexions well!!!! One particular day we were the only people wandering around on the streets that weren't wearing a yellow polo shirt emblazoned with the king's 60th anniversary crest.
One fact that may not have been well publicised outside Thailand is that the King is a keen photographer. Most pictures we have seen of him on more casual occasions when he isn't wearing all the royal garb, he has a camera hanging round his neck (Oh what a product placement specialists dream!). So, if ever there is a photographic exhibition of his work, remember, you heard it here first.
A few more pictures in this set.
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