Honour late King’s legacy
One year ago today the entire nation was plunged into grief when the Royal Household Bureau announced the passing of our beloved former monarch, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. He was 88. The nation has spent the past 365 days in mourning, something that has only intensified as the royal cremation draws near. It is due to take place on Oct 26.
There is no question how deeply Thais still love and revere the late King, who, during his 70-year reign, worked hard to improve the lot of the Thai people. He was a father figure, a righteous man, and a symbol of goodness and morality.
More than 400 environmentally friendly and cost-efficient royal projects were conducted across the country. They always put the people first.
The sight of King Bhumibol trekking across rugged landscapes — map in hand, a camera or two dangling from his neck, his face beaded with sweat — captivated the hearts of the Thai people. It was not unusual to see him kneeling down to talk to people, compassion writ large on his face as he listened to their troubles and sought ways to help.
He was dedicated to the well-being of the Thai public, regardless of their ethnicity or religion.
Due to his declining health, King Bhumibol spent his final years at Siriraj Hospital, his body too frail to continue his beloved trips to the provinces to see the country and the people he so cherished. Yet despite his condition, he continued working.
When the country faced serious problems such as floods he was always there to bestow state authorities with advice and guidance from his hospital ward.
After he passed away last October, state officials ranging from those in elevated positions at the Thai Koo Fah building in Government House down to local administration offices vowed to follow in his footsteps.
They pledged to continue implementing the late King’s sufficiency economy philosophy for sustainable development and adhere to his guidance. It was considered the best way of showing appreciation for his lifelong devotion to the country and his people.
However, events that have transpired over the last 12 months suggest some officials have failed in their promise and neglected to honour their commitment. In some cases, their sincerity in terms of carrying on the late King’s legacy has been thrown into doubt.
The military government has at times seemed to overlook his advice on how to use the national budget. One illustration of this would be the army’s decision to ink a 36-billion-baht deal to procure submarines earlier this year from China. In one of his birthday speeches, the late King made his views on expensive military hardware as clear as day: He thought in many cases it was a waste of money.
Local media reports claim that a number of sustainable agriculture projects implemented in honour of the late King have become embroiled in scandals and controversies. This should never have been allowed to happen.
Forest evictions of landless people or other local communities continue, despite the late King’s suggestion that Thai law should protect rather than harm those who have lived in such areas before the new regulations came into being.
But some state officials have only paid lip service to his entreaties while treating the people like second-class citizens or even enemies. Equally disturbing is the fact that some local conservationists have disappeared while others have been thrown in jail.
Similar examples of shameful ignorance abound.
So today, when the country marks the loss of its cherished former King, we hope state officials take the opportunity to stop and reflect on whether their actions reflect what he would have wished. We hope they ask themselves in all honesty whether they have adhered to his royal guidance or trampled on it.
Merely paying lip service to his words and wishes is not enough. That would constitute a betrayal of this great man, whose legacy should live on unhindered and without compromise.