All Hail to the King! I repeat: ALL

There is someone very popular in Bangkok. In fact, the man is so popular that his picture is found at all major crossroads, inside stores, on buildings, on public buses, in public hospitals, on all coins and notes, in shopping malls, etc.

Who can claim such popularity? Bhumibol Adulyadej, the king of Thailand.

The king is an enterprising man: he is pictured hunting African animals, holding binoculars and exploring vast landscapes, touring major attractions in Europe, discussing important matters with his advisors, etc. It seems that Thailand’s omnipotent king can do it all. Hence the people worship him.

Is that the end of this beautiful story?

In a restaurant I pointed my finger at the picture of the king and asked the waiter a few questions about the king. He mentioned that the king is 85 years old. I said: “Wow, that’s old. Who is next in line to replace him?”.

There was a moment of silence. Then his face grew severe and he said that we should not talk about things like that. He said it is “not good” to talk about this subject. And he also said that I should be careful not to talk with other Thais about matters related to the king.

Surprise, surprise! I dug a little deeper and this is what I found: Lèse-Majesté, the act of insulting or defaming the king, can result in 15 years jail time.

So is it universal love for the king? Or is it universal coercion to love the king? In Thailand it is probably both.