A lesson in leading

I am a 60-year-old man from Liverpool who voluntarily teaches English at a local temple in Chiang Mai.

I watched the news tonight and have a message to all world leaders.

If you wish to know what it looks like to run a country for 70 years, make that country more prosperous and forward looking, get the very best out of life, have the rest of the world leaders say nothing but good about you, and then have your country cry genuine bucket loads of tears because “The Country’s Father” has passed away, come to Thailand.

Look at the news, read the papers, and talk to the people. Then go back behind your bulletproof screens in your bulletproof cars, and continue bickering, calling each other names, fighting each other, and slowly killing this beautiful place we call Earth.

King Bhumibol wore a uniform that consisted of a pair of binoculars, a pencil and a map. His war was not with other countries, but with poverty, and he was just as at home walking in fields among his people. He was completely at ease wherever he went.

The King was adored by his people (not just because of a law) and all, including me and many other farang, will miss this great King, icon of leadership, and loving caring father of our beloved Thailand.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is how you lead a county and remain loved.

Long will his memory continue. NEIL JOHNSTON