Subjects seen in vintage photos vow loyalty to His Majesty

Booklets describing vignettes of the nine subjects will be distributed to libraries to promote the event and encourage the public to cherish their memories and loyalty to His Majesty, Danucha Sindhvananda, a senior ministry official and the project director, said yesterday.
All nine have emerged with proof of their identities and recently received tokens of appreciation at the ministry. Yesterday they signed get-well albums during an activity at Siriraj Hospital where His Majesty is recovering from medical treatment.
Four of them expressed appreciation for and allegiance to the monarchy in recent interviews.
Father Watchara Prueksarojjanakul (Photo 1) said he has always kept that episode in his mind even though the newspaper photo, cut out and saved by his mother, had been lost. The Catholic priest said he has looked to His Majesty as his role model.
Usanee Hajiwaeduereh, (photo 3) a Muslim woman, said Her Majesty the Queen told her to speak normally instead of using the royal vocabulary when talking to her, after she and her classmates were asked how they had arrived at a school in the deep South.
Khawee Inthisaeng, (photo 5) whom His Majesty spoke to during a visit to Sakhon Nakhon’s Kusumal district, said he and the other villagers had adopted the monarch’s suggestions on irrigation and now they could farm with an abundant supply of water.
Praphan Phoosudsawaeng (photo 9) said he was impressed with His Majesty’s knowledge of irrigation and his graciousness towards residents in remote areas in Phetchaburi’s Cha-am district during his visit.
Praphan was a senior official involved in development projects and since meeting with His Majesty has served out his career relying on His Majesty’s teachings and self-sufficiency philosophy.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha presided over a special ceremony marking the auspicious occasion of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s birthday.
The premier expressed heartfelt wishes to His Majesty for good health and a long life before leading government officials in taking an oath to be good officials, who would work to the best of their ability and with integrity to assist the people and develop the country to achieve prosperity.
The officials also swore to follow the teachings of the Lord Buddha and to forever follow His Majesty’s royal guidance.
Charae Panpruang, secretary-general of the House of Representatives and acting secretary-general of the National Reform Council, led other officials from the House of Representatives to pay respects to the King in front of His Majesty’s portrait.
They also pledged to be good officials and properly exercise the power of the nation to commemorate the royal birthday.