The World's Longest Reigning, Living Monarch
Throughout history, three elements -- nation, religion, and king -- have prevailed as the key institutions of the kingdom. With 2002 marking the 220th anniversary of the founding of Bangkok, The Grand Palace and The Temple of the Emerald Buddha constructed during the First Reign of the Chakri dynasty remain the most visited landmarks of the fabled capital. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the ninth king of the Chakri Dynastry, is the world's longest reigning living monarch. Since His Majesty's accession to the throne in 1946, a country has been moved by their King in a myriad of ways. Through His Majesty's interest and life's work in sustainable development, King Bhumibol has devoted his life working for the people and has touched the lives of the Thai people throughout the nation.
Throughout the fifty years
of His Majesty's illustrious reign, so much has been written about the benevolent
deeds of His Majesty as a compassionate king and modern-day monarch, an attempt
to chronicle all that has been accomplished is a near impossible feat. Countless odes by prime ministers, statesmen, scholars, common folk and even children… have been dedicated to His Majesty. There has been an outpouring of endless tributes paid to His Majesty by his subjects and the media. All point to one indisputable conclusion - His Majesty has won the hearts of his people. He is deeply revered, respected and loved. 
Throughout history, three elements -- nation, religion, and king -- have prevailed as the key institutions of the kingdom. The Thai model of monarchy began with the emergence of Sukhothai, the first Siamese kingdom founded in the early part of the thirteenth century and regarded as the first truly independent Thai kingdom. (Prior to that, communities existed as city states.) Two key styles of rule predominated during the early kingdoms.
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Known as "Phor Khun" or main chief or king, he was chosen by his peers to lead. As Phor Khun, the ruler had paternal authority. The people lived under the king and the king assumed a paternal role - a father figure who was in touch with his subjects and looked after the well-being of his people. A stone inscription which dates from AD 1292 offers a description of life in the ancient capital. It relates that the king hung a bell at the gate. If any commoner in the land has a grievance which he wanted to make known to his lord and ruler, the individual goes and strikes the bell which the King has hung. Upon hearing the call, King Ramkhamhaeng, the ruler of the kingdom, would go and question the individual, examine the case and decide it justly for him. For approximately seven centuries, the concept of a benevolent, accessible monarch prevailed as an ideal. Then when Ayutthaya became a nation of its own, the style of rule assumed a different path from that of Sukhothai. Like the Khmer kings before them, the kings of Ayutthaya returned to the concept of "The Divine Kings". Ayutthaya saw a revival of the autocratic ideals characteristic of the Brahminic religion and the traditions born of Angkor Thom were imported to glorify the Siamese king. Spread by word of mouth, the authority of the king was made known throughout the land. The concept of the paternalistic king however re-emerged with the establishment of the Chakri dynasty in 1782. When King Rama I, founder of the dynasty, built the new capital, he attempted to replicate the many splendours of Ayutthaya captured in The Grand Palace and The Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The king was still known as Chao Cheewit or the Lord of Life surrounded by complex ritual and enjoying absolute power over every aspect of the kingdom. The Brahmanic and animistic elements of royal ceremony remained equally strong during the reign of King Rama I but were counter-balanced by deeply-rooted Buddhist beliefs and the king once more became a more human persona as reflected in the laws and proclamations issued during his time. From this point onwards,
the successors of the illustrious Chakri dynasty continued to redefine the role
of the monarchy in Thai life culminating in the modern monarchy that has become
the distinctive hallmark of the reign of His Majesty King Bhumibol
Over time, several names
have been accorded to the Siamese kings. In addition to the role of "Chao
Cheewit" or the Lord of Life that existed in the earlier kingdoms,
under his style of a modern monarchy, His Majesty King Bhumibol has assumed many
more roles including the Paternalistic King, The Divine King, Lord of the Land
(Phra Chao Pan Din), The Man of Great Affairs (Nai Luang), The Giver of Law (Phra
Dhammaraja), Defender of Faiths and Upholder of all Religions, the font of all
wisdom and culture, education, health and medicine. In ancient times, the Siamese king was also The Great Warrior - Phra Maha Kasatri, whose duty was to look after the well-being of the nation. Today the practice of offering food from the royal kitchens to soldiers crippled in the line of duty is still observed. As The Man of Great Affairs or Nai Luang, His Majesty the King is Leader of the Nation and receives dignitaries from abroad. Upon their arrival, ambassadors to Thailand present their credentials in the Chakri Throne Hall. As The Giver of Law or Phra Dhammaraja, His Majesty signs the constitution and opens parliament. In former times, petitions were received by the Phra Dhammaraja and the king was the final authority. The font of all wisdom and culture and a relentless advocate in promoting education, His Majesty abides by the ten principles governing the actions of a Buddhist king or the Tossapit Rajadhan, whose duty it is to give. On his visits with the people, His Majesty frequently donates school uniforms, books, sports equipment and even medical supplies to rural schools.
His Majesty's charitable endeavours are centred around offering information, medicine and ensuring the good health and well-being of his subjects, particularly the hill-tribes. The king's principle preoccupation and overriding concern relates to the livelihood of the people. Her Majesty Queen Sirikit works in tandem with the womenfolk to develop supplementary sources of sustainable income for the villagers such as through handicraft. The King is also the Defender of Faiths or Akarasasanupathumpok. His Majesty is of Buddhist faith but equally receives Brahmins as well as Christian missionaries. In the old days, the King was also the Lord of the Land or Phra Chao Pan Din. All land belonged to the king. Even today, title deeds to land are still issued in the name of the King. To ensure that he is well-informed and in a position to offer well-researched, sound and relevant advice to farmers, the backbone of the nation as they account for over 65% of the kingdom's population, His Majesty has maintained agricultural and horticultural experimental stations with rice silos, windmills, and fisheries within the grounds of Chitralada Palace for decades since his accession to the throne. Throughout recorded history, kings have been judged by how they make their subjects happy. An ancient stone inscription said to be of the Sukhothai period reads, "In the water, there is fish. In the fields, there is rice. It is the Thai king's duty to ensure the prosperity of the land and the people. Throughout His Majesty's reign, the King has often visited with the people and is frequently seen being 'on the floor' hearing the grievances of the people. The establishment of the Chaipattana Foundation under Royal Patronage is a tangible expression of His Majesty's personal commitment to his people and his incessant search for a better life for them. In the minds of the Thai people, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulayadej has lived up to his name as "The Strength of the Land.". The
Chaipattana Foundation Credits
Photographic
Credits
The
Chaipattana Foundation Emblem The main objective of the Chaipattana Foundation was to help accelerate rural development through various forms of activities that are restricted by constraints such as budget and procedural problems. In some cases, it does this by offering much needed funds quickly to certain agricultural projects. His Majesty directed to become involved when the government was unable to do so, coordinating assistance to relocate villagers for the loss of agricultural produce caused by urgent government projects and providing support in accelerating the completion of government-subsidized projects. The work of the Foundation must not overlap that of the government, however, it should be in line with government policy at all times. It also assists needy villagers when they are unable to help themselves, And by doing so, helps to strengthen national security, that is "losing (money) in order to win (development)1. One of the first acts of the foundation was to purchase 16 rai of land near Wat Mongkhol Chaipattana, a temple at Huai Bong Sub-district, Saraburi Province. This was made into an agricultural development centre called the Royal-initiated Wat Mongkhol Chaipattana Royal Development Project. There, farmers and officials exchange ideas and experience about irrigation in the area. Chaipattana will often grant interest-free loans to projects considered to be part of occupational development and rural education. The Royal-initiated Dairy Farm Project in Sakhon Nakhon Province began in 1990 in order to hold training courses for dairy farmers. Eighteen farmers took part in the project whose success can be measured in practical terms as their individual income had risen by 1,068 Baht by 1994. The seed money was paid back to the foundation by February 1994. The work of the foundation relies significantly on the cooperation of the people involved in the projects as well as externally. This internal-external relationship also extends to the matter of fundraising. The Chaipattana Foundation is governed by His Majesty's principle that it receives money from donations only.There is no direct fund-raising by the foundation that might be interpreted as a money-making venture. The foundation survives by the goodwill of the people. Although it can now authorise others to launch a campaign on its behalf, the foundation is an attempt to draw the people together under one banner. Contributions flow in continuously as people believe that an agency founded by the king must be for the benefit of the people. Awareness of the work of the Thai king is not limited to Thai circles. The foundation also receives donations from overseas. 1. Paraphrased from His Majesty's oft-quoted maxim of "Our loss is our gain", first recorded in his 4 December 1991 birthday address.
At the top, a shield is surmounted by a royal crown, the shield being divided into four sections. The Chaisri Royal Sword in the upper left quadrant signifies royal authority, augustness and the nation's strength to overcome difficulties in the implementation of projects, resulting in the security of the Kingdom, while the Krabi Tuj Flag in the upper quadrant symbolises leading into battle to achieve victory in the struggle to protect the kingdom and the people from all dangers and misfortunes. To the lower left of the shield, the lotus blossom signifies dignity, beauty, coolness and prosperity, that lead to the well-being, peace and happiness of all Thais. The royal conch at the lower right symbolises water that freshens the land and bestows upon it fertility, peacefulness and an abundance in agricultural products and natural resources. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Text by
Mr. Richard William Jones |
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