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LAND
(Conrinued from page 25)
gentler world, with life centering
more around the calendar than the
clock. When true knowledge of the
purpose of existence becomes com–
mon, religion and worship will no
longer be something to be sq ueezed
in when and if there is time. A
relationship with the Creator God
will be a natural and logical part of
the rhythm of life. People will want
to devote their time to activities
that bring lasting- not superficial
and temporary-satisfaction.
lt
will take sorne getting accus–
tomed to at first. But deep down,
many people even now realize that
they would be happier in a world
like that.
True Riches
The Bhutanese have not lost this
kind of happiness. But they also
know that if they are to survive in
INTERNATIONAL
DESK
(Continued from page 27)
Laos and Cambodia who fled thcir
homelands. Thousands of them are
sti ll huddled in temporary camps,
facing an uncertain future. Queen
Sirikit often referred to their plight
while speaking to audiences in
America. Thai land is faced with a
di lemma. On the one hand "their
house is full"; yet the refu"gees keep
coming.
1
nternational relief organizations
help, but a great share of the load
has fallen on Thailand's shoulders.
The Thais have shown genuine
nobleness in the handling of this
desperate situation. Strained as
their resources are, the Thais can–
not bring themselves to abandon
the refugees to tbeir fate.
It
is just
not the Thai way.
So at sacrifice to itself, Thai land
continues to bear the burdeos of
providing sanctuary. Queen Sirikit
summed up her nation's attitude by
quoting a rural farmer: " I t is not
that we are not poor.
It
is because
we are poor and know [the] sutfer–
ing of poverty that we must share
and give help."
Queen Sirikit impressed those
who met her by her obvious loyalty
and devotion to ber duty- and to
her husband.
30
this world, they cannot remain a
museum. So far this little country
has written a remarkable record of
a commonsense attitude toward
development.
When Bhutan began its modern–
ization program, one of the fi rst
steps was to restore Tashichho
Dzong in Thimphu as the nation's
chief administration center.
Whereas sorne developing nations
hired foreign expertise and labor to
build showcase government build–
ings, the Bhutanese did the work
with their own hands and in their
own unique way.
Tashichho Dzong is a magnificent
structure, richly decorated with tra–
ditional designs. It was built without
imported building materials, even
nails. A massive foundation supports
sturdy walls. Wooden beams forman
intricate network on which the roof
is carefully balanccd. But what is
truly remarkable is that the dzong
was rebuilt without blueprints. The
Her visit to America was a spec–
tacular success. Her Majesty won
the hearts of Americans wherever
she went. But she is more than just
a beautiful queen. She is also set–
ting one of the most impressive
examples of feminine leadership in
the world today.
While speaking in the Ambassa–
dor Auditorium on the Ambassador
College campus in Pasadena, Her
Majesty drew the audience's atten–
tion to one of the displays in the
exhibition of Thai treasures.
It
was
a painting depicting an important
event in Thailand's history 400
years ago.
In 1549 the King of Burma, at
tbe head of a very powerful army,
invaded Thailand ( then known as
Siam) and laid siege to the
ancient capital of Ayutthaya. The
siege !asted for four months. Sev–
era! times the Burmese near ly
breached the Siamese defenses–
but each time they were repulsed
witb heavy losses on both sides.
The fighting grew more fierce
with each passing day. Finally
King Cbakrapat of Siam decided
to Jeave the protective walls that
surrounded bis capi tal and attack
bis opponent in the open in an
aH-out attempt to turn the tide.
Unknown to him, his wife Queen
Suriyodhaya disguised herself as a
people knew instinctively what they
needed todo, and the result is a mas–
terpice of grace and symmetry.
The Bhutanese are now construct–
ing their country like they rebuilt
Tashich ho Dzong- carefu lly,
thoughtfully, one step ata time. No
grandiose top-heavy schemes, but
careful development on a solid foun–
dation.
As yet they haven't destroyed
their forests. Their water is spark–
lingly clear and good to drink. Their
air is crisp, clean and unpolluted.
And they themselves are indepen–
dent, and content.
The Bhutanese, according to
those who reckon only in gross
national product, are among the
poorcst pcople on earth. But they
have the food and homes they need
and things that money cannot buy–
that development, without the guid–
ing hand of God, has stripped from
richer folk . Bhutan is a very rich lit–
tle poor land.
-John Halford
warrior and joined her husband in
battle.
At a critica! point in the fighting,
the Queen saw her husband was in
danger of being killed. lmmediately
she drove her war elephant between
the King and the source of danger,
thus losing her own life. As she fell
the Burmese general realized that he
had killed a woman. He was so
impressed with the courage of
Queen Suriyodhaya that he with–
drew his forces, even though he had
gained the advantage.
Queen Sirikit, in retelling this
story, said that she was surprised
that there is no monument in Thai–
land to this brave queen.
But perhaps there is.
Like her predecessor, Queen Sir–
ikit has accepted her responsibi lity
to be at her husband's side. She has
placed herself in the forefront of
the battle agai nst her people's ene–
mies today- ignorance, pove rty
and lack of opportunity-enemies
that now pose a greater threat to
the nation's welfare than any
immediate invading army.
May we respectfully suggest that
Queen Sirikit herself is T hailand's
living monument to Queen Su–
riyodhaya, reigning with the same
Joyalty and dedication as that cou–
rageous queen of long ago.
-John Halford and Leon Sexton
The
PLAIN TRUTH