Speaking on Thai radio Wednesday, Queen Sirikit commented on her husband, the revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and the concern over his health. His Majesty has been hospitalized for nearly a year, and worries of his health has affected Thailand’s stocks.
“His health has substantially improved but doctors still ask him to continue doing physical therapy so that he can move around with strength first before leaving the hospital,” the Queen said during the interview, which was done for her 78th birthday.
King Bhumibol was originally admitted to Siriraj hospital in mid-September 2009 for lung inflammation and fatigue. For a while there were reports on how well he as doing, but those reports have been silent since the beginning of 2010.
At the same time, the 82 year old monarch – the world’s longest reigning – has made few public appearances.
The King’s health is a major concern in Thailand, which is in political turmoil. If and when he dies, there are many who feel his son, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, will not be as savvy and effective as a sovereign as his father is when it comes to politics.
As the protests in the streets of Bangkok intensify, and the death and injured toll rises, many Thais are wondering the same thing, where is the King?
AFP/Pornchai Kittiwongsakul - May 5 2010
For decades, King Bhumibol Adulyadej was seen as a father figure for his people amidst political turmoil. Twice before when conflicts like this arose, in 1973 and 1992, the constitutional monarch put a stop to it by telling the government to put an end to the troubles. But now, as the same problems grow worse, the King has yet to say anything.
He remains at Siriraj Hospital, where the 82 year-old monarch has been since September. When he was admitted, it was said he had inflamed lungs and lack of appetite. But there has been no explanation on why Bhumibol has been hospitalized for so long.
Thais are aware that their revered King will not be around much longer. That makes many of them worry about what will happen to their country once he passes. His son, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, is not as popular nor does he have the same political savvy that his father has to bring the political troubles to a standstill.
Pr0blem is, King Bhumibol kind of made these political troubles himself. He created an elite class of military and business leaders, and alienated its poorer citizens. It is this class that accuses the group the Red Shirts for being disloyal to the monarchy.
But the Red Shirts claim they respect the King, but want changes to the system. “Real democracy would have the King at the top, with no elite class to interfere,” said a protest leader, Nattawut Saikua, according to the New York Times.
“There might still be people in Thai society that want to see the King play a role in resolving the crisis,” Jon Ungpakorn, a former senator and one of the nation’s most vocal advocates for democracy, told the New York Times.
“But on the other side, a large section of society realizes that we should not depend on the monarchy for resolving crises,” he said. “If we are to be a democratic system, we must learn to deal with our problems ourselves.”
On Wednesday, Thais put aside their political differences to mark their revered King’s 60th anniversary on the throne. Thailand has been experiencing political turmoil for nearly two months, and many hoped King Bhumibol Adulyadej would bring calm. Instead, the ailing 82 year-old monarch has been hospitalized since September for a respiratory illness.
REUTERS/Adrees Latif
But for Coronation Day, King Bhumibol left Siriraj Hospital to mark his ascension anniversary. It was the first time he left since February. Dressed regally in a white uniform, the King was pushed in a wheelchair out of the hospital into a motorcade which drove him and members of the royal family to the Grand Palace. Thousands lined the streets, yelling out, “Long live the King!” and waving Thai flags.
Even on social networking sites, Thais expressed their devotion to their King. At one point, a top trending topic on Twitter was WeLoveKing.
Bhumibol spent one hour at the palace where he presided over a Buddhist ceremony at Amarindra Vinichaya Throne Hall. His wife, Queen Sirikit, was beside him as were Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, top military officers and other senior government officials were also at the ceremony.
After the religious ceremony, a 63 cannon salute was fired at noon in the King’s honor. Bhumibol was then taken back to the hospital.
Meanwhile, the anti-government group known as the Red Shirts gave alms to 300 monks to pay homage to the monarch, who is the world’s longest reigning head of state.
Veera Musikapong, who leads the Red Shirts, said the protesters have no intention of overthrowing the monarchy.
The King of Thailand finally spoke during the political turmoil surrounding his country Monday, but he avoided any mention of it.
AFP/THAI TV/Thai Tv
King Bhumibol Adulyadej was simply televised on Thai TV appointing new judges and requesting them to be honest. Nothing more.
“It is very important for you to help uphold justice and national order,” the 82-year-old monarch said. “If you strictly follow the oath you have taken, that will definitely help restore peace to the nation.”
“In the country, there might be people who neglect their duties, but you can set an example that there are those who perform their duties strictly and honestly.”
Some are taking his vague comments as criticism towards the government for failing to keep peace in Thailand. Others, however, are seeing this as the King not willing to take a position in the crisis, which is spinning out of control.
The appointments took place at Siriraj Hospital, where the King, the world’s longest reigning head of state, has been since September. While he was initially brought in for loss of appetite and fever, it is not known why King Bhumibol has been hospitalized for so long.
Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej will pay for the medical and funeral expenses of the dozens of people injured or killed in Thursday’s grenade blasts in Bangkok’s financial district. One woman was killed and about 85 people were hurt in the series of attacks aimed at government supporters during mass protests.
REUTERS/Jerry Lampen
“The King granted medical expenses for the wounded people and funeral expenses for the dead,” the Royal Household Bureau said in a statement Friday, adding that the amount would be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Bhumibol, who has been hospitalized since September, has made no comment or move about the protests sweeping his country. While he has no political power, the beloved King is seen as a unifying force. Back in 1992, during similar protests, he intervened by criticizing both military and political leaders, and the tensions ceased.
Now, the anti-government “red shirts” protesters are asking for the monarch to make a similar move.
A few days ago, former Prime Ministers Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and Somchai Wongsawat, leaders of the pro-Thaksin movement, a leading opposition party, requested audience with King Bhumibol in hopes of getting him to intervene. But so far, the palace has not announced if that request has been granted.
Amidst the political turmoil in Thailand, there are some who are daring to question the role of the country’s monarchy. Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya spoke to reporters in Washington, D.C. about how it is necessary for the monarchy to reform.
Athit Perawongmetha/Getty Images
“We have to talk about the institution of the monarchy and how it would have to reform itself to the modern globalized world,” he said. “Everything is now becoming in the open. Let’s have a discussion: what type of democratic society would we like to be?”
Piromya suggests the monarchy should be similar to that of the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.
It is considered taboo to question the royal family in Thailand. Lese-majeste laws can put a person in prison for 15 years. Even King Bhumibol Adulyadej is seen as a divine figure by many Thais.
But with the octogenarian King being hospitalized since September, there are many who are wondering what would become of Thailand when he dies.
“It actually shows how strongly divided Thai society is and how uncertain it is who will align with who in the future,” Dutch ethnologist and Thai monarchy expert Irene Stengs told Radio Netherlands.
Stengs even predicts that a civil war could break out, and it may have to do with Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn.
“He is not very popular among the Thai population,” says Ms Strengs. “In fact, there’s a strong divide in society about him, between people who support the royal family and people who really feel the future of the monarchy will be at stake when he becomes King.”
“People really feel the crown prince is not a suitable successor. That fear has been around for the past ten years, but it has become stronger now that the whole nation finds itself in its worst political turmoil in two decades.”
One of the world’s most anticipated film events this year is taking place in Hong Kong this week. The Hong Kong International Film Festival is attracting filmmakers, actors and audience members alike to see the latest movies from 50 countries. It has even attracted a Thai Princess to the festival.
AP Photo/Kin Cheung
Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya, the eldest daughter of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, is in Hong Kong to promote her country’s film industry. She has been meeting with Thai movie stars such as Song Kran, Chakrit Yamnan, Theeraphat Sujjakul, Siripham Wattanajinda and James Alexande Mackie.
Ubolratana even starred in a 2008 Thai film, “Where The Miracle Happens.” This year, she’s again starring in a movie “My Best Bodyguard.”
The Princess was present at two events at the film festival. She was at the Entertainment Expo HK Filmart which showcased Thai film memorabilia and posters. In the evening, she attended the ”Thailand Hub of Entertainment”, a film and entertainment industry event for investors.
Princess Ubolratana was born in Switzerland in 1951, but raised in the palaces of Thailand. She attended college in the United States where she met Peter Ladd Jensen, whom she married in 1972.
With that, Ubolratana relinquished her royal titles and stayed in the U.S. with her husband, with whom she had three children with. Queen Sirikit often travled to see her daughter and at times the Princess would return to Thailand with her family.
But it wasn’t until her divorce from Jensen in 2001 that Ubolratana returned to her country and began taking part in royal duties again.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej is back at the hospital after briefly returning to his palace over the weekend. The world’s longest reigning monarch left Siriraj Hospital late Saturday night to go to Chitralada Palace for a formal function.
The 82 year-old King, who is seen by many people in Thailand as a demi-god, has been hospitalized since September 19th for a lung infection and a fever.
On Saturday, Bhumibol was televised paying homage to a Buddha statue before being driven in a motorcade to the palace.
There, he spent an hour at Chitralada for a function that included members of the royal family, cabinet, members of parliament and other leading figures in Thai society. He returned to the hospital at 1am local time.
Thailand was in a festive mood on Saturday as it celebrated its beloved King’s 82nd birthday. Thousands donned pink outfits and waved flags in honor of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, but were mindful of his fragile health.
REUTERS/Royal Household/Handout
The world’s longest reigning monarch has been hospitalized since September 19th for inflammation of the lungs. Doctors say the illness is not serious, but the report was enough to make Thailand nervous. King Bhumibol is seen as a great unifier in a politically divided nation.
The King made his first public appearance in over a month at the Grand Palace, where he gave a nationally televised speech to the country. Last year, he was unable to do this due to another illness.
The King told his people that his happiness came from prosperity, security and calm in Thailand. He urged Thais to do socially beneficial works.
REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang
He then met with various members of the royal family, including his son and heir, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn. Afterward, Bhumibol returned to Siriraj Hospital, looking very much tired.
Because of the King’s fragile health, Thailand is often worried. When he dies, many expect the monarchy to be thrown into upheaval. This is because the Crown Prince is viewed as not being politically savvy as his father.
Thailand’s revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej made another public appearance today as he observed a traditional festival at Siriraj Hospital, where he has been for over a month.
REUTERS/Bureau of the Royal Household/Handout
Since his admittance to the hospital on September 19th, the people of Thailand have nervously followed news of King Bhumibol’s health. This latest appearance relieved Thais as it shows that their King is still in good health.
As national television showed, King Bhumibol lit a krathong for the Loy Krathong festival. An aide placed the krathong in the river as Queen Sirikit, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and other members of the royal family watched on. Loy Krathong is when Thais place lotus shaped trays into the Chao Phraya River in hopes of their bad luck drifting away, and they’ll receive good luck instead.
Outside of the hospital, thousands of well-wishers looked on as they held photographs of their beloved monarch.
Since news of the King’s health is a sensitive topic, any false information could lead to an arrest. It was revealed today that two people were charged with spreading rumors about Bhumibol’s health, which sent stocks plunging about two weeks ago.
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