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INTERNATIONAL DESK
TheOther
Landofthe Free
by
John Halford and Leon Sexton
Bangkok, Thai land
I
n a part of the world that has seen so
much upheaval, war a nd misery, this
nation of 45 million people has rema ined
stable and at peace. Mueh of that is because
of the outstanding example of leadership set
by the man who has ruled Tha iland for 36
years- King Bhumi–
bol Adulyadej.
It
is
time our readers
have a closer look at
this remarkable man
and the nation he
leads.
To the casual visitor,
Thai land might not
seem like one of the
world's more successful
countries . I t is st ill
classified as a "develop–
ing" nation .
But if we look deeper
and examine thc fabric of
the count ry, we see a dif–
ferent picture. Thailand's
people, in general, are not
caught up in the mad scramble to get ahead at all
costs. Their social and family life is not falling apart.
Perhaps we should not think of the Thais as a " have
not" people, but as a people who just " have different."
What is it about Thailand that has preserved it in a
troubled region?
Thais are grateful for their long record of indepen–
dence- Thailand means literally, the "land of the free."
Although st rictly nonaligned, Thailand enjoys a long and
stable friendship with the United States-also known
worldwide as "the land of the free"- and the nations of
Europe. (Thailand was never a colony of one of the
European powers. ) In foreign affairs, the T hais conduct
themselves with dignity and common sense. Sorne years
ago, the nation earned international respect when it
opened its borders to hundreds of thousands of refugees
who fled neighboring Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos
after the lndo-Chinese wars.
July / August 1983
Various governments, civi lian and military, have
ruled Thai land since the end of the Second World
War. But c hanges in government do little to disturb
the tranquil pace of Thai life, which is firmly built on
three pillars: the Throne, the Buddhist faith, to which
most Thais belong, and the land itself.
Although King Bhumibol is a constitutional mon–
arch, holding no political power, he is held in almost
universal prestige and
honor by his subjects.
Pi ctures of the Roya l
Family adoro nearly
every home , shop and
office in Thailand. Such
is his reputation that
/ese
majesté-showing
disres–
pect to the Royal Fami–
ly- is a serious offense.
No loyal Thai would ever
think of speaking agai nst
the King, or defacing his
picture (or even a postage
stamp with his portrait on
it) . In times of peace, the
King and Queen provide a
focal point for the Thais'
love of their country. In
times of crisis-yes, even
peaceful Thailand has its
moments of anxiety-it is to the Throne that the
nation looks for guidance and reassurance.
King Bhumibol does not rule by fear and oppres–
sion. The respect for him and his beautiful wife,
Queen Sirikit, is genuine. The King and Queen deeply
love their people. In return, the Thais sincerely honor
their King and Queen with an intensity that is rare in
today's world.
That is an important point- let us restate it. The
people of Thailand look to their King as the embodi–
ment of all that is Thai. He is the head of the Thai
family-an extended family that encompasses the
whole nation. Throughout history, men of many
nations have risen to rule their people- only to
become carried away with delusions of grandeur,
demanding homage from those they rule. But the King
and Queen of Thai land deserve their honor. They and
their children have dedicated their lives to their
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