61 YEARS OF HM THE KING'S RULE

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (ภูมิพลอดุลยเดช), or Rama IX as he is known in the West, ascended to the throne following the death of his brother, King Ananda Mahidol on 9 June 1946.  The world's and the longest-reigning current head of statelongest-serving monarch in Thai history, he was formally crowned in Bangkok on 5 May 1950.  During last year's massive celebrations for the 60th anniversary of his rule, the King and Queen appeared on the balcony of Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall before hundreds of thousands of people on 9 June which was a public holiday (as was most of the following week).

On 16 January 2007, the Council for National Security officially declared the end of the 60th anniversary celebrations and commenced year-long celebrations of Bhumibol's 80th birthday.  Thus, today was extremely low-key compared to the festivities last year.

But we do have a new song, courtesy of the Office of the Prime Minister — "Father of the Land" (พ่อของแผ่นดิน, Poh Khong Phan Din).  The song was first played nationwide this morning at 9:00 a.m. and will be continuously aired in public places to encourage people to learn the song. Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont (สุรยุทธ์ จุลานนท์) is inviting people from all corners of Thailand to jointly sing the song.

THE KING'S NEW YEAR CARD 2007

Originally posted on January 10, 2007 at 23:04

King Bhumibol Adulyadej each year issues a special New Year's card for the people of Thailand.  The 2007 version features His Majesty with his famous dog, Khun Thongdang (subject of a best-selling biography plus at least one set of stamps), and some of its offspring.  When the card was released this year, there was actually a 15-minute program aired on all of the Thai television networks describing each element in the design!  And, no, Tim and I don't happen to be on the Royal mailing list but the cards (going back several years) are reproduced in several sizes on HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's Golden Jubilee Network.

CONSTITUTION DAY, FORMER PRESIDENT BUSH & END OF MARTIAL LAW

Today, December 10, is Constitution Day here in Thailand and a national holiday.  The Thais have long associated constitutions with democracy and even post-coup governments have been quick to draft new constitutions to legitimize their rule in the eyes of the people.  However, currently Thailand has no constitution.  The 1997 constitution was overturned when the military overthrew the TRT government on September 19.

Here are links to the last two constitutions — The Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand 1997 (the "people's constitution" which, among other things, was written to eliminate the minor political parties and the weak governments they created) and The Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand 1991 (famously enacted on December 9, 1991 so that there would be a constitution in place on Constitution Day the following day).

Interestingly, George Bush Sr. is making an official visit to Bangkok tomorrow to meet with HRH Bhumibol Adulyadej, the third former U.S. President to visit Thailand in the past several weeks (following recent trips to Phuket by Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter to check on tsunami recovery efforts).  Although the interim Prime Minister, Surayud Chulanont, is scheduled to meet him at the airport, there won't be an official meeting between the elder Bush and the current military government.  I almost forgot to mention, martial law was (finally) lifted over about half of Thailand last week (the only difference that I think this might mean for us in Phuket is that "real" gas stations will be allowed to remain open after nightfall once again).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, YOUR MAJESTY

Today is the 79th birthday of His Royal Highness Bhumibol Aduyladej (Rama IX).  The nationwide celebrations include plenty of fireworks and yellow shirts (for the 60th anniversary of his reign as King of Thailand).  All bars and nightclubs are closed and liquor sales prohibited.  Here in Phuket, we're in the midst of the week-long King's Cup Regatta.

December 5th is also regarded as Father's Day in Thailand (the King being the "father" of the nation).  This morning, Nadia gave me first ever Father's Day card; I was very touched (already I was a bit sad as she left this afternoon for a month or so stay with family up in Kalasin — near the Lao border— but the card cheered me right up!).