A MONARCH FOR MODERN THAILAND
Today Thai nationals across the world express their joy and reverence to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej who turns 86. Respect for age and royalty is part of Thai culture, but people’s feelings for their King run deeper than that. Thai nationals are well aware that King Bhumibol has played a vital role in laying the groundwork for what is now a modern nation prepared for the future.
With 67 years on the throne, King Bhumibol is the world’s longestreigning monarch. Over the decades, he has contributed to national advancement in public health, education, agricultural research, irrigation and environmental protection. His work has helped to uplift the poor, include the marginalised and ready Thailand for an era of globalisation and change in a sustainable manner.
King Bhumibol has accomplished all this through innovative ideas and development projects. Educated in Constitutional Law, Science and Engineering, he holds 20 patents for various inventions. His “New Theory” on agriculture has been praised by the United Nations. His philosophy is based on inclusion, sustainability, moderation and equity. These qualities have contributed greatly to building Thailand’s resilience.
During the 1960s, King Bhumibol, Queen Sirikit and the Royal Family began travelling the Kingdom to learn about villagers’ problems and propose solutions. As a result, the King’s Chaipattana Foundation has launched over 4,360 Royal Development Projects. Not every idea was implemented. “His Majesty’s approach relies on democratic values and community participation,’’ says Sumet Tantivejkul, Director of the Chaipattana Foundation. “If villagers feel a project is not appropriate for them, we don’t do it.”
The projects that went forward have improved people’s lives. Visionary in approach, they cover four general areas. Public Health: The King’s Village Doctors Program trained health volunteers in hundreds of communities. He contributed to the eradication of leprosy; funded dozens of hospitals and health centres; coordinated disaster preparation and response; and improved nutrition through the promotion of dairy and iodine consumption. Education: The King and his foundation have established education centres for development, granted royal scholarships to produce a corps of national talent, built schools in remote border areas, promoted life-long learning and published Thailanguage encyclopaedias. Environment: The King has launched reforestation projects and campaigns to protect watersheds. He has been involved in the creation of national parks and wildlife reserves where several endangered species are now thriving. “I do whatever I think is useful,’’ King Bhumibol once said in describing his role. “My objective is to improve people’s lives without destroying their equilibrium, their traditional values and their identity,” he stressed. Agriculture: Through irrigation projects, the King has provided water to farmers. He developed new strains of rice, encouraged crop diversification and advocated for less use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. He was instrumental in ending narcotics production in Thailand by guiding people to grow cash crops instead of opium. His Majesty’s Royal Rain Project has experimented extensively with cloud-seeding and rainmaking technologies. Delegations from countries in Africa and the Middle East have visited Thailand to study and learn from the project’s experience. Wisdom and decades of hard work are why King Bhumibol has been called Thailand’s “Guiding Light.” As His Majesty celebrates his 86th birthday, it is clear that “long live the King” is more than a slogan to the people of Thailand.
HONOURSAND ACCOLADESFOR THEKING
WIPO Global Leader Award (2009) For extraordinary commitment to promoting intellectual property and important contributions to society as a prolific inventor TIME Asian Hero (2006) For shaping the Asia of our times UNDP Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award (2006) For extraordinary contributions to human development at the national and global level Berkeley Medal (University of California, Berkeley – 2000) For devotion to the Thai people and great contributions toward the country’s stability and economic vitality WHO Plaque (2000)
For unstinting and powerful moral leadership and example in public health Sandford Medal University- 2000) For preservation of the musical culture of Thailand through education and performance TeleFood Medal (FAO- 1999) For dedication to Thailand’s agri-
(Yale cultural development, with the aim of raising farmers’ standards of living and establishing food security Award of Appreciation (United Nations International Drug Control Programme – 1994) For outstanding contributions to drug control efforts in Thailand UNEP Gold Medal of Distinction (1992) For long, dedicated, exemplary and eminent contributions made for the improvement of the environment and nature conservation Philae Medal (UNESCO-1991) For outstanding contributions in rural development and quality of life promotion
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand was born in Cambridge Massachusetts, The United States of America, on Monday the 5th of December 1927. His Majesty became the King of Thailand in 1946. He is the grandson of His Late Majesty King Chulalongkorn ( Rama V) who was renowned for the great reforms which he made to all institutions of Thailand to bring them up to date and in line with the rest of the Western-orientated world. His Majesty the King has visited Sri Lanka twice, in 1939 and 1950.