In memorial of King Bhumibol: International Relations His Majesty came to the attention of a world fascinated by the mystique of the Thai king as the centre of the nation’s spiritual and moral authority. An internationally recognized figure, His Majesty has gained attention because of his rural development activities in Thailand. Asiaweek also described how since the 1950s, His Majesty had worked tirelessly, travelling
throughout
the
kingdom
launching rural development and public welfare projects.
―Jamming‖ with Benny Goodman in New York in 1960 Photograph: Popperfoto/Getty Images In the sixties Their Majesties travelled abroad together on goodwill state visits to Europe and the USA, and since then have also received many of the world‘s leaders and royalty in Thailand. His Majesty was able to state clearly his own reasons for going abroad in 1960.
“This overseas visit is undertaken to serve the country. It is my duty as Head of State. It is common knowledge that during this period every country, big or small, must depend on one another. The peoples of every nationality are related. We should therefore know each other’s characters and create mutual understanding. Normally, relatives will go to visit each other to keep in touch, but in Thailand it is difficult for millions of people to go to visit, so it is up to the Head of State to visit various countries. I shall show the people of those countries that the Thai people feel friendship for them. I shall try my utmost to let them know about Thailand and create goodwill towards Thai people.”
From an address to a joint session of Congress to meeting Elvis Presley on the set of G.I. Blues the royal couple impressed with their vigour and sincerity. To President Eisenhower His Majesty was able to establish a point of contact immediately,
“I was born here in this country, so I can say that the United States is half my motherland. This visit is somewhat of a sentimental journey and I feel a quite genuine emotion in coming back here.”
His Majesty‘s wish to show the people of other countries the friendship of the Thai people was also the desire of several of his royal ancestors, who had carried on royal diplomacy with other countries hundreds of years previously. Excerpt from ―King Bhumibol: Strength of the Land‖ Published by the National Identity Office, Copyright 2000 by Secretariat of the Prime Minister This book is available in the St. Mark’s Library.
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