Wishing His Majesty happiness and longevity
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As I turned the page on my desk calendar, I have found an article that I would like to share with all our readers.
“Over 65 years, King Bhumibol has initiated more than 4,000 development projects – from irrigation, farming, drought and flood alleviation, crop substitution, public health, distance learning to employment promotion. His Majesty also developed a philosophy of ‘sufficiency economy’ as a way of life for the Thai people.”
King Bhumibol is the world’s first and only monarch to hold a patent, holding one in 1993 for a wastewater aerator named “Chai Pattana” and several patents on rainmaking since 1955.
HM the king is a devoted all-rounder both in the arts and music. As an accomplished jazz musician, HM composed a total of 78 songs over a period of five decades. Besides his musical talents, King Bhumibol is also a painter, photographer, best-selling author and translator. Not to mention HM’s skill in sailing and designing sailboats. HM won a gold medal for sailing in the 4th SEA games in 1967.
In November 1999, HM was conferred an honorary Doctorate of Science from University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada for his service to the Thai people with dignity and selfless dedication for more than five decades.
In May 2006, HM was presented with the first United Nations Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award, for his efforts to human development to improve the lives of his people across the country. The award was presented by Mr Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations at the time. His address lauded HM as “the World’s Development King”.
King Bhumibol was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on December 5, 1927, graduated from Lausanne University in Switzerland and ascended to the throne on the 9th of June 1946. HM is the World’s longest reigning Monarch . Over 6 decades, HM has never stopped searching for ways to enhance the well being of his people and leading Thailand, our country, to the 21st century.
On this great occasion of HM the King 84th Birthday (seven cycles), as one of the 65 million Thais from all walks of life and on behalf of all our readers, wishing HM the most happiness, health and longevity in being with Thai people for many years to come.
Art Chanovan
Bangkok
