King Bhumibol Adulyadej

Rama IX, Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand (www.muaythaimes.com)

The phrase "Rao ruk Nailuang" or "We love the king" is what has been heard for a long time. As you can often see a sticker with that phrase sticking on the vehicle. The majority of Thais printed that phrase in their heart as well along with the stickers on their vehicles. It has been seen a lot of times that Thai people cry with tears of happiness and expressible feeling while waiting for the king to travel past. Some of them spent many hours waiting just to see the king's face through the car glass for a few seconds. Most of Thai people, including me and my family, are expecting to watch the news about the king's news and the royal family televised on each night. Sometimes we are waiting to hear his voice on television for even a few minutes. I found many of us saying that they can die for him, to protect him or longer his life.

To me and definitely most Thais considered the king as the father of nation and as well as hero. He has traveled from the north to the south reaching everywhere in Thailand which other kings would not have done so. Hhe initiated over 4,000 Royal development Projects, in such area as irrigation, farming, drought and flood alleviation, crop substitution, public health, distance learning, employment promotion and traffic alleviation. He worked tirelessly leading us through crisis and being the Thai's pillar strength. No matter what religion you believe in but for him all Thais are his children. He introduced "The Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy" to the world which encourages people to live in a way where they consume only what they really need, choose products carefully, and consider their impact on others and the planet. The king has promised at the crowning ceremony on May 5th 1950 that he would reign with righteousness for the benefit and happiness of Siamese people and he has proved what he has promised perfectly.Therefore, the King is my hero inspiring me to be a better person and to not live extravagantly.