Long Live the King

I am extremely fortunate to be in Thailand for the 60th anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's accession to the throne. The Thai people adore their king -- there are picutes of him and his wife in almost every shop, and prominently displayed in front of every public building.

The more I learn about the King, the more I am inclined to adore him as well. Thailand has a constitutional monarchy, and the King has very limited powers. He has worked hard to maintain independence from Thailand's heated political battles, and only intervenes in extraordinary circumstances. For example, in April, he prodded the nation's courts to resolve a political deadlock that has left Thailand with no working legislature and only a caretaker government. He spends an enormous amount of time, energy and money on rural development and human rights projects.

But this month, they've gone all out in celebration. Everywhere I go, I see enormous banners and signs offering him congratulations. In Mae Sot, there are three separate arches bulit over the streets. Yellow flags line every street. And everyone, including myself, is decked out in yellow. Yellow is the color associated with Monday, the day the King was born, and is the official color of the celebration.

The big celebrations are happening in Bangkok, where there will be a royal procession on the river, fireworks, parades, rallies, you name it.