English language ballad honours King Rama IX

Wassana Tangthong said she had often written folk ballads, called “Mor Lam,”so that foreign exchange students could understand Thai culture and the Thai way of life.
After the King passed away last year, she began composing a ballad in English to honour him and to let foreigners know about his dedication and activities throughout his 70 years on the throne.

“I want to tell the world through song why Thai people love the King so much. I spent about a month to write it,” she said.
She noted that the late King’s Sufficiency Economy Theory has been applied not only by Thais but also by foreign people.
Her Mor Lam has different content from normal ballads that are usually about local stories.
Wassana taught English for about 30 years before deciding to retire early because of a serious illness in 2004. She is now recovered and once again teaches English in some schools and elder people’s clubs.
Part of her ballad says: “Your Majesty, the Precious King, you are the King of Kings who brings Thai people sustainable happiness from the best basic way of life, of a highly effective practical Royal Philosophy called the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy.
“When we follow your philosophy, money is not everything and the things in need all in need are the things indeed. You have done this not only for Thai people but for all people all over our world.”
The song has been uploaded to YouTube.