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Ask
any Thai to Select one day in a year that is of utmost
importance for the country. No matter where in the country, or
to whom the question is raised, the answer will always be
December 5. Not
because of the day's significance as the country's National Day,
in fact, many Thais tend to overlook this fact. All Thais,
However, direct their thoughts towards the one person who has
been the focal point of love, respect and affection over the
past four decades and more. As
time passed, and thereby uncountable events and crisis, the Thai
people have come to realize, and to be aware of their great
fortune for being the subjects of the land ruled by the great
and benevolent monarch whose main interest has always been his
people. During
the May crisis, this outstandign fact was poignantly driven home
among the Thais, and puzzled observers all over the world. His
Majesty the King's intervention to stop the bloodshed, with
immediate effect, was nothing short of a miracle that brought
great joy to the Thais and enthused the world. On
the evening of May 20, 1992, about 50 million Thais were
watching television and felt included in the historic audience
granted by His Majesty the King to the Former Prime Minister and
his opponent, Former Palang Dharma Leader, at the height of the
conflict with the use of force against prodemocracy
demonstrators. During that dark moment, His Majesty the King's
words clearly echoed the people's sentiments.
".....looking
at the situation, we could earlier identify objectives of the
confronting sides. However, after over ten days, the
confrontation took a dangerous turn, no matter how it is to be
solved. It has taken considerable human toll, and caused
tremendous damage to public and private property. Spiritual and
damage was unspeakable. So, as of now, no matter how the
incident developed and from what causes, things have
fundamentally changed. Should the confrontation prolong, the
country could be wrecked. This country that we have built up for
such a long period, to be respected and admired, would become
insignificant, or carry a bad name with it forever. This has
become increasingly obvious. We have to start sorting out
differences, and try to solve them. Problems facing us these few
days are now changed from political issues. The main problem is
not over the assumption of office, but the handing-over of power....."
".....what
is urgent now is no longer the amendments to the constitution,
but public safety and morale. The people everywhere are
concerned over their personal safety, and the future of the
country, which could beunredeemable....."
".....whenever
a conflict emerges, for instance in a home. When it develops
into a violence, involved parties often forget themselves, and
the causes of conflict. So they end up fighting without knowing
the cause, nor the prblem they try to solve. Each side wants to
emerge victiorious. Who wins? No one. All become losers, those
in the confrontation, and worst of all, the community, the
country, the people. Conflict cannot be contained to just one
area. Should Bangkok be damaged or ruined, the whole country
would suffer. So, what is the use? What is the benefit of a
victory on top of ruins........"
From
that moment on, through each step taken on the path back to
normalcy and democracy, His Majesty the King clearly showed his
interest in following up the development, from the dissoulution
of the House of Representatives, the inauguration of the newly-elected
House, the appointment of the new coalition government, along
with the people's hope and aspiration. For His Majesty, the
people come first as the focal point of all activities,
political, economic. diplomatic, or cultural. The people's well
being has to be first and foremost in the minds of public
servants of all types. The message has been clear in His Majesty
the King's speeches to the Parliament and the new Government. His
Majesty the King himself has observed the principle of public
well being from the beginning. This goes beyond public pledges
or commiments. if has become the rule of the land and the
principle of the reign. The bond of love has kept the Kingdom
intact. No
matter what happens, the Thai people can look up to one person,
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the ture strength of the
land. |
