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In January 1980, the BBC aired a documentary of critical importance for understanding the history and monarchy of Thailand, “Soul of a Nation: The Royal Family of Thailand” (Center for the Heart of the Nation: The Royal Family of Thailand) For the first time
This feature film is over two hours long. It is a close monitoring of the register of royal duties and private life. As well as revealing the heart of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej Maha Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great Borommanat Bophit “King Rama IX” of the Thai people Who had never been heard before
The content of the documentary is divided into two parts. Audio narration by Sir John Gielgud, a famous post-war British actor and director. The BBC correspondent who follows interviews with the Thai royal family, David Lomax, describes his memorable past in his 2011 book “King Bhumibol Adulyadej: A Life’s Work”, which was published in 2011.
“I traveled to Thailand 4 times and found that the royal family welcomed me. And His Highness has a kindness that cannot be found anywhere else. “
The essence of the documentary, Soul of a Nation, aims to educate people in the West. On the reality of the modern Thai monarchy that There are more dramatic and profound contemporary changes. “The east” that only reminds of the ancient and mysterious mysterious.
At the beginning of the first documentary, MR Kukrit Pramoj, the former prime minister, gave an interview at the residence. In explaining the importance of the Thai monarchy that
“The monarchy is the spirit of the Thai nation. His Highness is more than a ceremonial head. And he is the head of the Thai tribe. He is the father of a huge family of 45 million members.”
Mr. Kukrit Pramoj
“The King is the cradle of Thai culture. All things have come from him. If they are good manners Lifestyle Thai way of thinking Or even Buddhism It seems that everything has grown and spread from him and all the supreme institutions ”.
Thailand in the shadows of the Cold War
The documentary Soul of a Nation projects an image of the Thai monarchy in a historical context under the circumstances of the late Cold War. At the time, Thailand was the only country on the Southeast Asian continent that had not yet fallen under communist rule. Provoking a solitary struggle with infiltrations from neighboring countries Including Viet Cong forces that have invaded the northeast border
Image source, AFP / Getty Images)
This photo taken on October 6, 1976 shows the badly damaged interior of Thammasat University. Many students died. And wounded after a severe crackdown
The situation became even more worrisome after the United States decided to withdraw its troops from Vietnam in 1975, a year after the massacre of students on October 6, 1976, which also saw Thailand being seen by the international community. Along with the news that the Thai monarchy has stepped in to play a role in dissolving the conflict and ending the bloodshed.
Craig J. Reynolds, Thai history specialist From the Australian National University commented on an article published in the Australian magazine Inside Story, the documentary Soul of a Nation, which the BBC filmed and broadcast at the time. It has created a new and better image for Thailand and the Thai monarchy after having to face serious events for a period of time.
The main question addressed by BBC reporters focused on finding out whether Thailand will survive and get out of the reach of the communist regime or not. While the Wattana prosperity of the Thai nation is strongly linked to the survival of the monarchy as the spirit or center of the nation.
The producers of the BBC documentary noted that King Rama IX has a role to play in keeping the Buddhist nation and the Thai monarchy in a stable position. By implementing two strategies
The first strategy is to inherit ancient religions and customs. Applying them according to the best modern needs. For example, the revival of the royal ceremony in a way that promotes modern agriculture. Or the royal ceremony The Krabi Royal Ceremony is the morale of senior military officers and recent graduates. Strengthen loyalty and strength in the fight against the enemy.
The other strategy is to promote new roles for the king that are difficult to find in the highest institution of any nation. For example He visits people in the desert Including front line soldiers in a dangerous area He also started many real rural development projects. Which amounted to stepping in to play a role in politics, the military, and the welfare of the people at that time.
More than a king
Image source, fake images
King Bhumibol Adulyadej And His Majesty Queen Joined the community in Ananta Samakhom’s Throne Room. On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the throne of His Majesty the King on June 9, 2006, with people waiting to meet and greet
The BBC reporters had the opportunity to attend an interview in the office of King Rama IX, which is full of communication devices and maps in the Chitralada Palace.
Metaphor of David Lomax: The room of this work does not look different from “Battle Command Center”, while King Rama IX rejected that the radio and communication tools that His Majesty has It is not a network to collect personal intelligence But it is necessary retain work for long hours at night. To prepare and have new ideas for what you have to do the next day.
“I do not know How to define the word ‘king’ without any problem Because in my position Even called king But my obligations as you can see It is not a real duty It is something different. And difficult to define I only do what I think is useful.”
When the reporter asked during the royal highness Still in the dam prep area Is this royal project something that will give you victory over the communists? His Majesty replied that
“I did not fight against communists or any other people. But I fought against poor hunger So that the villagers have a better life And at that time People who call it communism will also live better. Everyone will be happy.”
Queen Sirikit Queen Princess Royal Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Also gave an interview
“Everywhere we go They looked at us, everyone was interested in us, they just looked. They didn’t want to bother us They just want to know how we eat, sit and walk, without looking out of curiosity. Or out of bad intention Why they were so happy You must understand that They want the best So close to us like a big family “
“He looked at us because he likes us. We like them and we love them, they love us, so there’s no pressure.”
Neutral institution
As the center of the mind Keep together the peoples and important organs of the nation to have unity. Sometimes he had to take the initiative. To lead the country through the various gruesome crises, which have led to accusations of playing politics.
however King Rama IX clarified to BBC reporters on this matter that
“The royal family is in a prominent position that people watch. If we do something and someone looks at it, it doesn’t mean we play politics. “
“Right now, everything I do Even to inspect the construction site of a small dam, or to visit the people in question if they have enough to eat this morning. They accused me of playing politics.”
“It seems a bad thing. That we are going to help solve the crisis Because it is the same as playing politics But if we try to speak with reflection and reason, I think that is not bad. The word unrolls that situation.
The BBC reporters had the opportunity to attend a royal interview at the Royal Palace in Chitralada.
“If you don’t remove the bolt from the bomb in time it will explode And if you let it explode They are beautiful fireworks for people watching from a distance.”
BBC reporters also asked if how likely is the monarchy to be “used” by various parties? In this regard, His Highness replied that
“It is quite common for people to take advantage of the king. Which is here to be used now As your country in England The Queen has worked according to royal duties. It was used … If you want to use this word … when the parliament opened, the government used it as a mouthpiece. Because he had to declare a policy on what the Queen’s government will do this year … it has been used “
“So the country is the same. It was also used. But the method used depends on us. That is, we do good things for the nation and the people. And we have no secrets.”
“If we do all the things openly Many people you refer will not be able to use us. Because if they use us it will have a negative effect on itself.
“You can see for yourself that we have no secrets. Try to be impartial, impartial and live in peace with everyone. We may be under pressure from both sides. But we are upright.”
“Someday you will see that How useful is it to have a neutral person? Because if there are only political groups in the country that adhere to their own interests, what will happen to ordinary villagers without electricity? Bargaining They have to depend on someone who is neutral “.
“If one side wants to destroy the neutral It is equal to self-destruction This is the reason to maintain neutrality, it can be difficult, but it can be achieved.
