King’s image peppers Thailand ahead of coronation
BANGKOK: It took US$6,400 (RM26,000) and a 12-hour drive for the local mayor to pick up the shrine and towering portrait of Thailand’s king, which will stand in the centre of town — a small part of a massive palace publicity campaign for this weekend’s coronation.
“Every government office in the country will do the same,” said Aunchalee Chamchang, the mayor of Thungkhanan, a clutch of villages east of the capital.
Portraits of King Maha Vajiralongkorn had been in place at many state offices since he ascended the throne in 2016.
But imposing new images, some several metres high, and decorations were mandatory at every state office ahead of his three-day coronation, which begins on Saturday.
The most elaborate set-ups include the gilded-framed portrait, a large pedestal, flags, coneshaped “pan phum” floral tributes and bunting in various shades of yellow — the colour of Thailand’s monarchy.
They can cost thousands of dollars, paid for through local budgets and subsidies, and will remain in place for at least the rest of the year.
Roads here and across the kingdom were flanked by the projection of royal power, intended to reflect the country’s devotion, loyalty and respect for the monarch.
For the majority of Thais, King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s elaborate three-day coronation will be the first they have witnessed and curiosity is mounting.
His father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, died in 2016 after a reign spanning seven decades.
Bhumibol was revered as a unity figure in a politically divided nation and his image remained omnipresent in many Thai homes and shops.
Thais wore black or subdued colours for a year of official mourning after his death.
But King Bhumibol’s 66-yearold heir is not as well-known by his subjects and spends much of his time abroad.
To address that gap, the new king’s image has slowly seeped into everyday life — on buildings, banknotes and stamps — since his father’s death.
A short film accompanying the royal anthem that runs before movies shown in Thai cinemas now tells the story of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, a prince turned monk, air force pilot, father and then king.