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What is happening to His Royal Highness King Bhumipol?

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A farang's view on the present situation in Thailand.
15 years ago, December 7th 2008 No: 1 Msg: #56827  
With all the blockades, the banners, public political speeches, occupation of both airports Don Muang and Suvarnbhumi, one can only wonder what is happening in the Land of the Smile, in Thailand?

The PAD, the party that has been resposible for most of the above, seems sympathetic enough. But what do they really want and who are they really?

Now in the eyes of the thais I'm just another stupid farang, just another stupid foreigner, never mind I speak the lingo, never mind I lived there as a mere kid, I'm still a STUPID farang.

Still, I'll try to explain to you my farang point of view on the present thai dilemma, after all we're ALL OF US just a bunch of stupid farangs.

The PAD, People's Alliance for Democracy, is made up mostly of the millitary, the business, the ruling and the intelectual elite of Bangkok, the well educated who have well payed jobs at one of the many foreign companies based in Bangkok, those that look down on the poor uneducated masses from the poor north where people often work 12 long and cruelling hours in the rice paddies under the hot thai sun, where people are as poor as the proverbial church rat - in Thailand's case we're speaking of temple rats I presume but I'm sure you get my point.

According to the philosofies of the PAD these people have no voting rights due to the fact they lack the necesary education to vote correctly, in their ignorance they'll make the wrong choice.

Lets now get to the other side of the story...to the Thai Rak Thai - thais love the thais/Thailand - the party that has been ruling the country and having won three elections since 2001, first under Thaksin Sinawatra who was as corrupt as any other thai politician but stuck true to his promises to improve the lives of the poor masses. He introduced a reasonably good health care systeem for the poor, good and affordable. He started a war on drugs - the poor masses anywhere in the world are plaqued by drugs and alcohol, poor people anywhere looking for a few cherished hours to escape their miserable excistence.

For the inhabitants of power centre Bangkok this was inexcusable, they considered his policies a direct threat to their own survival, direct opposition to thier own position. Therefore their recluctance to voting rights to under-educated farmers.

Still with me? Good, the situation gets even more complicated by the fact that the nation's fate is in the hands of an old and sickly DemiGod. One word of His Royal Highness, King Bhumipol Adulyadej and the whole situation can be dissolved peacefully. It has shappened in the past.

Bhumipol who had his 81 first birthday last friday, who has ruled Thailand successfully for 62 years, has been ominously silent these last few months.

According to crown prince Vajiralongkorn who has a dubious reputation as a womaniser, drug and alcohol aficionado, his father has been a "littte bit sick " off late.

The fact that His Royal Highness, King Bhumipol is slowly dying is a complete TABOO, not discussed, not talked about. And since we're not allowed to talk about his demise, forget a serious discussion about the end of His rule, His political inheritance.

His son is not up to the job, too busy chasing beautifull pr*stitutes, drinking cold Shinga beer and Mekhong Whiskey mixed with ice cubes and Coca Cola, maybe a few snorts up the royal nose for good matter.

The cloudy power play the King has been playing for the last 62 years might not always have been good for thai democracy but it did hold the thai nation together.

With His inevitable demise he leaves his country in deep mourning but also He leaves behind a hopelessly devided people.

Remember please, dear Thai Nation, these were merely the words of a Stupid Farang who is presently mauo beyond believe and just raving his stupid head off. So don't lock me up for sacrilege in Bhangkwa Prison aka Bangkok Hilton, next time I visit your country.

If you are still with me, well thanks for the attention to my raving.

hehehe. LOL

Hans. Reply to this

15 years ago, December 7th 2008 No: 2 Msg: #56829  
Hello Hans 😊

I moved this to the Travel News and Discussion forum.

Here is a related thread. Are you on your way in or out of Thailand

Mel Reply to this

15 years ago, December 8th 2008 No: 3 Msg: #56892  
If a Thai would write this, he'd end up in prison for sure... I dont think you can accuse the next king of being a wh*ring coke-snorter :-D I have to say, that PAD is sounding more and more dodgy. I mean, if Thai Rak Thai has really improved things for the poor people, good on them and screw the elitists. Thats no excuse for being corrupt of course, but would PAD fare better? Reply to this

15 years ago, December 8th 2008 No: 4 Msg: #56932  
Hello Mel,

I'm afraid you're right about the average Thai ending up in prison for some of the things I wrote.
However crown prins Vajiralongkorn's little "hobbies" are well known in the Thai nation, it's just something that is not discussed among Thais themselves. Forbidden by law since he's of royal blood and the king to be.
Now his personal life style is of no concern to me but being the next King of the Thai nation he does have a responsibility and is a role model. Not that most Thai males - but definitely NOT all - are any better on this department.
Sometimes it takes an outsider to point out the wrongs in a country, not that that was the object of my forum post.
I was merely posting a personal view on Thailand's present situation for those that will travel to Thailand in the weeks/months to come.

Having clarified this I would like to add that I love the Thai people who are in general friendly and honest. Don't be mistaken about my "Stupid Farang" stuff, that was mostly a bit of fun on my own behalf.
Reply to this

15 years ago, December 8th 2008 No: 5 Msg: #56937  

I'm afraid you're right about the average Thai ending up in prison for some of the things I wrote.



And not only Thai people either. A while ago a Swiss guy was given a 10 year jail sentence for drawing moustaches on a picture of the king, one drunken night. But it didnt turn out all that badly, because after 3 months in prison he was pardoned on the Kings birthday. How many kings would be so forgiving. :D I wonder if he ever went back to Thailand again.
Reply to this

15 years ago, December 8th 2008 No: 6 Msg: #56998  
i think all this political power play is the jostling for position before the inevitable happens - the business leaders are hoping to be able to control more of the country when his highness passes on.

But you're right - the king could have stepped in and straightened it out... so why didnt he? Reply to this

15 years ago, December 9th 2008 No: 7 Msg: #57050  
That is anybody's guess, my friend. Reply to this

15 years ago, January 21st 2009 No: 8 Msg: #60907  

An Australian writer has been jailed for three years after being found guilty of insulting the Thai monarchy.

Harry Nicolaides, a 41-year-old who worked as an English teacher in Thailand, was initially sentenced to six years but saw his term reduced after he pleaded guilty to 'Lese-majeste', a very serious offence in Thailand.

The charge stemmed from a passage in his 2005 self-published novel Verisimilitude, in which he referred to the scandalous lifestyle of an un-named Thai Crown Prince.


Quote from www.foreignprisoners.com

Planning any trips to Thailand Hans? 😉

Careful what you say about the Thai Monarchy!
Reply to this

15 years ago, April 5th 2009 No: 9 Msg: #68302  
A native Thai male has been sentenced to serve ten years imprisonment at the notorious Yard Lao detention centre for photoshopping a picture of His Highness King Bumiphol, just last week.

Yard Lao houses the worst and most hardened criminals of Thailand. His chances of a royal pardon are slight at least

Hans.
Reply to this

15 years ago, April 5th 2009 No: 10 Msg: #68305  
Do you know what changes he made to the photo? Not that it matters much. Putting him in prison is over the top, even if he put horns and a pointy tail on the photo. Reply to this

12 years ago, September 24th 2011 No: 11 Msg: #143861  

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