CNN MAKES TIME FOR HIS MAJESTY
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Hong Kong anchor Anna Coren watches the royal birthday unfold
CNN commemorated His Majesty the King’s 84th birthday with a series of daily reports called “Eye on Thailand”. Anna Coren, a Hong Kong-based anchor for America’s Cable News Network, covered the celebrations outside the Grand Palace.
“For him to come out and to address his people, I think, gave everybody a sense of strength and a feeling of hope,” Coren says of His Majesty’s speech from the palace balcony, coming in the wake of the country’s worst flooding in 50 years.
“I think [the King’s address was] unifying. Obviously things have stabilised, and there does seem to be peace here at the moment, which is obviously very important to Thailand.”
Few monarchs in the world receive the same adulation, the Australian-born journalist said, noting the tears in the eyes of citizens waiting outside the Grand Palace.
Coren asked some of them what they loved about the King. “He’s not our king – he’s our father,” one person told her. “He’s the father of our nation. He’s the soul of our nation, and we would do anything for him.”
The “Eye on Thailand” series was broadcast daily as part of last week’s “World Report” programme, offering insights into a country known best overseas for its cuisine and beaches. The series covered both the flooding and the cleanup.
Coren said Thailand is important to CNN, generating compelling stories such as the political conflicts and the flooding, both affecting millions of people.
She said CNN likes to focus on countries that don’t necessarily feature in global headlines, acquainting its viewers with their history, politics and culture.
The foreign media see Thailand’s six years of political upheaval, complete with a coup and a subsequent string of prime ministers. But Coren emphasised signs of a changing tide, including the unified celebration after a tremendous calamity in the name of the King.
“In a wake of everything that’s happened here, I think it’s great that your country is on the road to recovery and that people are coming together to help the victims.”
She described the birthday celebrations as “beautiful”. “It was lovely to see the spirit of unity, of a nation coming together to celebrate a birthday of somebody that you all love so much.”
