King's Birthday
Wan Chalerm
5 December 2008
On 5 December Thailand celebrates the birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The day is known in Thai as 'Wan Chalerm'. It is an occasion when the love and affection of the Thai people for their King is expressed with both joyous celebration and with reverence for the good works he has done for his people.
Buildings and homes all over the country display the Thai flag and portraits of His Majesty are everywhere. The colour yellow predominates as this colour symbolises those, like the King, who were born on a Monday. The colour yellow has come to represent the peoples’ love for their monarch. Every Monday you are likely to see most of the people dressed in yellow coloured clothing as a sign of affection for their King. Mondays can be very colourful throughout Thailand.
On his birthday the areas round the Grand Palace and Ratchadamnoen Avenue are decorated with yellow marigolds. On the evening of the holiday itself, the streets around Ratchadamnoen and Sanam Luang (the park beside the Grand Palace) are closed to traffic as thousands of people celebrate. A spectacular fireworks display is the highlight of this celebration. If you are visiting Bangkok do not take a taxi to this area. Catch a bus to the Rattanakosin area, and stroll along the street crowded, just once a year, with people, not cars. It is an unforgettable experience.
Prince Bhumibol was born on 5 December 1927 in Massachusetts in the United States of America. At that time his father and mother, Prince and Princess Mahidol of Songkhla were both taking degrees in the United States. (Just as a fascinating point of history Prince Mahidol was the 69th son of King Chulalongkorn, Rama V.) Prince Bhumibol was not born for kingship. He was the youngest of his parents' three children but the second boy. After his father and his brother he was third in line to the throne.
His father, Prince Mahidol, died in September 1929 and Princess Mahidol of Songkhla (who became known as The Princess Mother) moved her family to Switzerland where they lived while the children furthered their education.
In 1935 Prince Bhumibol’s uncle, King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) abdicated and the Prince's elder brother became King Ananda, Rama VIII, of Thailand. In 1946 King Ananda died in tragic circumstances and Prince Bhumibol became His Majesty, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX, of the Kingdom of Thailand. He was 18 years old.
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, which means "Strength of the Land, Incomparable Power" ascended the throne on 9 June 1946. As a constitutional monarch King Bhumibol has only three "rights": to encourage, to warn, and to be consulted. Within these restrictions and through the force of his personality and intelligence he has led, helped and guided the people of Thailand for over 60 years.
King Bhumibol is now the longest reigning sovereign in the world. He is revered and adored by his subjects not simply because he is king but because he has earned the respect of the nation. He is also respected in the wider world community. The King has played a central role in a wide range of national and social development schemes taking a keen interest in every aspect of his Kingdom. Through a combination of devotion to the good of his people, and a subtle awareness of political and social issues he has gained a special place in the hearts of the Thai people.
On a personal level His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej is an inventor holding a number of patents usually for items which have been of practical help to his people. He is also a talented linguist, musician, composer, hobby sailor, photographer and humanitarian. Above all, he is the BELOVED MONARCH of his subjects.
Each year on his birthday the King delivers a speech in which he usually gives a fatherly homily. In past years he has spoken passionately about the dangers of smoking cigarettes and of excessive noise. He is also known to make fun of some of his political leaders. The Thai people often read messages into these speeches which are not as clear to Western listeners. In his speech on excessive noise, he mentioned that people lose the ability to listen. Some interpreted this as being an oblique message to an increasingly authoritarian government.
As the King is considered the father of the nation 5th December is also celebrated nationwide as Father's Day (Wan Pho Heng Chat). It is a public holiday and all government offices both in Thailand and abroad as well as banks are closed. Money exchanges and shopping centres are open as usual.
In the past alcohol sales were restricted on this day but the King recently indicated in a speech that he saw no reason for this restriction so it is very likely that of 5 December you will be able to charge your glasses and raise them to drink the good health of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX of the Kingdom of Thailand.