Goodthaigirl Posted December 5, 2002 Report Share Posted December 5, 2002 Here is the summary of his talk yesterday. http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/05Dec2002_news06.html Thursday 05 December 2002 BIRTHDAY ADDRESS His Majesty takes aim at drugs King urges national war against scourge His Majesty the King called for a national war on drugs yesterday while delivering his annual birthday address before cabinet ministers and members of the public gathering at Dusidalai Throne Hall. The King expressed his concern about burgeoning problems related to drugs and the difficulties facing authorities involved in suppression operations. The drugs issue appeared to grow more serious by the day, costing the state and taxpayers huge amounts of money, he said. It was the third time in less than a week that drugs had been mentioned in a royal speech. After having earlier given his consent for an amnesty for 5,600 prisoners convicted of minor drug offences, His Majesty urged those who had been freed never to return to drugs. The King later went on to talk about his favourite dog, ``Thongdaeng'', the subject of a sell-out book penned by His Majesty and depicted on polo shirts sold to the public. While admitting they were relatively costly at 500 baht each, the King said the shirts had proved extremely popular and aimed a quip at the Chamber of Commerce for failing to keep up with demand. His Majesty denied he intended to satirise anybody in writing the book, saying it was aimed at increasing public appreciation of local dog breeds, particularly strays, over expensive foreign pedigrees. ``This book should help [bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej] convince the public to look after stray dogs,'' he said. ``I wrote it because it is a good story about a dog worthy of praise. It is a true story, not fictitious.'' The King charmed his audience with his wit and humour while talking about his pet, saying if they were looked after properly, stray dogs could be cute and smart. If properly trained, strays could also be helpful in anti-drug and landmine-clearing operations, he said. ************* Most of the laughters came from Thongdaeng story and a monkey, later named 'Sak-da' by HM, who came in to the Klai Kang Won Palace in Hua Hin. The joke that got me craked up so hard is that when HM was telling the audience about 'Tong-lang', Tongdaeng's younger sibling, who is not very tame. HM told the audience that 'Tong-lang' barked everyone even Crown Princess Sirintorn and "...Princess Julaporn...(he still) barks" . As he omitted the word I put in bracket, it can be interpreted as Princess Julaporn BARKS. Then he quickly explained himself what he meant. Even Princess Julaporn laughed ! He called his thai dogs coming from the breed called mid road ! He translated from Thai word - ma klang tanon - literally mean - middle of the road dog ie. stray dog. So, he told the audience that Tongdaeng is a mid-road dog. He's got wit and humour indeed. If you can read Thai, most of Thai newspapers today printed his speech word by word. I'm sure you will enjoy reading it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goodthaigirl Posted December 5, 2002 Report Share Posted December 5, 2002 Says pattaya127: PS:Also, noticed he drove the car himself when leaving. It's Camry. When he was still roaming the country on his agricultural and irrigation projects, he often drove the car(Jeep/ 4 wheel drive) himself in a very hard condition, eg. steep hills, over a strong stream. While he was living and studying in Europe in his teens, he was known to be a fast driver. He was once got a serious car accient in Europe causing his right eye to be severely injured. After having been hospitalised for months, he regained his health. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hidy Ho Posted December 5, 2002 Report Share Posted December 5, 2002 In His Majesty the King's new book "The Story of Tongdaeng" there is a comment about how he sometimes like to drive himself and few pictures of him sitting in a BMW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilli13 Posted December 5, 2002 Report Share Posted December 5, 2002 Anybody out sanam luan way to celebrate with HMK? anybody out at the bars - they're all closed right?? anyone feeling lucky today??? cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markle Posted December 5, 2002 Report Share Posted December 5, 2002 I thought the king looked better than he has for years. He didn't seem so tired and frail and I was glad to see him cracking jokes, very encouraging indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straycat Posted December 5, 2002 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2002 [color:"red"]i was surprised to read lately that his inthronation was actually a few years later, in 1950 I think. I will look into it.[/color] That's correct. While it was clear that H.M. the King would take the throne already in the 1940's he was at that time still studying in Switzerland (engineering and later political science & law). Back then he was also still unmarried. The official coronation of H.M the King and H.M. the Queen took place on May 5, 1950. In 1951 they moved back to Thailand. * * * To ib13. Yes, I very much enjoy visiting Sanam Luang, Rajadamnoen, the King Rama V (Chulalongkorn) Statute and the Gates of Chitralada Palace on these occasions. I never go on the actual day, like Dec 5, but the day before as it's considerably less crowded. I have to say that I find it very beautiful and enjoyable. And I tell you, normally I'm not much of a festivity ogler! The Thais though manage it to be very 'sanuk'. I like it. Very much recommended! An excellent oppurtunity to see a tiny bit of 'normal' Thai life as well. It's a shame (or perhaps a good thing? ) that I see so very few farangs around there...even the next door Kao Sarn Rd people seem to be stuck in their spot. I guess the tuk-tuk fares are outrageous ('100 baht, are you kidding me!!?') Straycat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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