Everywhere you look, yellow flags emblazoned with the Royal Emblem celebrating the 60th Anniversary of His Majesty’s accession to the throne flutter in the breeze. As a special tribune to His Majesty’s long reign, let’s learn more about the meaning of this symbol.
The Royal Emblem’s design and colors are not only striking to look at, but each item and color represents something.
His Majesty’s initials, Bhor Por Ror, boldly appear in a golden color that signifies Monday, His Majesty’s day of birth. The initials are trimmed in gold on a gold and blue background, the color of the Monarchy.
The initials are encircled by diamonds, which represents His Majesty’s entourage of wise men, important authors of the court, well-known craftsmen, important elephants, valiant soldiers, graceful ladies and courtiers. The initials and diamonds sit on the Noble Throne of Bhadrapith and under the Great Crown of Victory and the King’s Insignia.
Inserted in the backrest of the Noble Throne of Bhadapith are the Sword of Victory, the Royal Whisk, the Royal Sceptre and the Royal Fan Placed on a stand at the foot of the Noble Throne of Bhadapith are the Royal Slippers. These items complete the Royal Regalia.
Below the throne on pink ribbon trimmed with gold is the inscription: “The 60th Anniversary Celebration of His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne B.E.2549.” Attached to the left end of the ribbon is a white monkey and on the right is a Garuda with a white face and reddish-brown body.
The green-gold background represents the day of the birth of His Majesty and the fertility of the land.
Vocabulary
EMBLAZON (v):to decorate something with a design, symbol or words so the people will notice it easily
ACCESSION (n):
the act of becoming a ruler of a country
FLUTTER (v):
to move lightly and quickly; to make something move in this way
SOVEREIGN (n):
a king or queen
SEAL (n):
an official design or mark
ENTOURAGE (n):
a group of people who travel with an important person
COURTIER (n):
a person who is part of the court of a king or queen
INSIGNIA (n):
the symbol, badge or sign that shows somebody’s rank or that they are a member of a group or an organization
His Majesty King Bhumipol Adulyadej was crowned on Coronation Day, May 5, 1950. He had been officially named the new King on June 9 four years earlier.
On the day of his coronation, His Majesty made his first declaration, promising: “We will rule the nation justly for the benefit and happiness of the Siamese people.” It is a vow that he kept throughout the decades since.
From Day One
Many factors has to be taken onto consideration in choosing the most auspicious day for the coronation ceremony, Savet Thanapradit, adviser to the Bureau of the Royal Household, said that it was determined by Brahmin priests who studied the signs before announcing the date.
Holy Water
The ceremony was held at Paisarntaksin Royal Throne Hall, with the King seated on the octagonal Adthathit Utum Phonratcha-aat throne. During the ceremony, the chief Brahmin priest poured holy water brought from 18 major chedi located all over Thailand.
This water is first divided into eight pitchers, each placed at one of the angles of the eight-sided throne, with representatives of the population standing in attendances.
While seated, the King turned to receive water presented in small vessels from each of these pitchers. Once this procedures was completed, special holy water from Bangkok was poured, bringing the total to nine.
Royal Accessories
Next, the leader of the Brahmins presented the King with a nine-tiered umbrella, called Phra Maha Sawetta Chat in the Thai royal language. After receiving the umbrella, the King moved to Phatarabit Throne located in the different part of the Paisarntaksin Royal Throne Hall to receive the crown and the fove symbolic items of the Kutthaphan, the Royal Regalia.
The Bhramin priests presented the King with the Phra Maha Phichai Mongkut, the Great Crown of Victory; the Phra Saeng Khan Chaisri, the Sward of Victory; the Than Phrakon’ the Royal Sceptre; the Phra saw Chammari, the Royal Whisk; the Phad Wala Wit Chanee, the Royal fan; and the Chlong Phrabat, the Royal Slippers.
Upon receiving the Golden Crown, the King placed it on his head. The other items were set on a table next to the throne or handed to palace staff standing nearby. Each was presented to the King on a special tray called a phaan
A Vow to Rule
After the King received the Kutthaphan, the Brahmin priest spoke in an ancient Indian dialect, saying that all of the highest angels had now come together in the person if the new monarch. The preist then spoke the King’s full name.
The King then poured water from a small pitcher called the Thaksinothok and made the vow to rule with justice for the well-being of his people.
Vocabulary
DECLARATION (N):
a written or spoken statement, especially about what people feel or believe
VOW (v):
to make a formal and serious promise to do something
AUSPICIOUS (adj):
showing signs that something is likely to be successful in the future
OCTAGONAL (adj):
having a flat shpe with eight straight sides and eight angles
PITCHER (n):
a large container with a small opening and handles that is used for holding liquid
VESSEL (n):
a container used for holding liquids such as a bowl, cup, etc.
REGALIA (n):
the special clothes that are worn or objects that are carried at official ceremony
WHISK (n):
small brush consisting of a bunch of feathers, hair etc. tied to a handle
DIALECT (n):
the form of a language that is spoken in one area with grammar, word and pronunciation that may be different from the other forms of the same language
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, on Monday 5 December, 1927, the third and the youngest child of Their Royal Highness Prince and Princess Mahidol of Songla.
The death of his elder brother King Ananda Mahidol in Bangkok on 9 June, 1946,changes the course of the 18-year-old Prince Bhumibol’s life completely, as the Law of Succession bestowed on Him the arduous challenge as King of Thailand.
After assuming the highest and most responsible position in the land, His Majesty decided to go back to university Switzerland, where He studied Political Science and Law in order to equip Himself properly for His duties ahead in Thailand.
His Majesty returned to Thailand for the Coronation Ceremony, which actually took place on 5 May, 1950, before heading back to university one last time to complete His studies. He returned to Thailand for good in 1951.
Thailand had only been a constitutional Monarch for 14 years when King Bhumibol Adulyadej ascended the throne, but He brought a new, contemporary attitude to the special role of Head of State. His Majesty’s perceptive and imaginative mind and an inborn sense of dedication, made Him relish the task of finding the true conditions His people were living in and devising ways to ease their burden. His sense of involvement is always so complete; He never rest until the job is done.
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX, is known to his loyal subjects as “The Light of Thailand.” As a young prince who never expected to be King, His Majesty has displayed the most remarkable wisdom and innate talent for His Role. His Majesty has spent a lifetime traveling throughout His kingdom to visit His people, speak to them and most importantly listen to their needs. His dedication has earned His Majesty the King the love and respect of not only His people but people around the world. He is the inspiration that rouses the awareness of perseverance and participation at all levels of society.
PAY YOUR RESPECT
In celebration of the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand’s accession to the throne, you can be sure there will be plenty of ways can show you your love to uor King.
WRIST BAND
King Power released one million yellow wristband with the message “Long Live the King” --these limited editions with serial numbers have all sold out.
Thailand Post has released an unlimited supply of yellow wristbands with the message ‘Rao Rak Nai Luang.”
The American School of Bangkok has released red’ white’ and blue wristbands with the message “The Father Who Only Builds.”
LIMITED LAPTOP
ASUS Tek Computer Thailand has created 999 limited-edition notebook.
ART EXHIBITION
Cotto is staging a contemporary art exhibition under the title “Inspired by the King.” on display at the gallery in Playground on Thonglor, are works of art from 33 domestic and international artists.
King Arts Exhibition has an exhibition also called “Inspired by His Majesty” displaying paintings and drawings by children inspired our beloved king, in the lobby if the Arnoma Hotel throughout June.
CAMPS
High school students are invited to join the “Good Morality” project at the Ministry of Education’s Moral Centre, in celebration of The King’s 60th Anniversary Accession to the Throne.
60 selected students have been invited to join the King’s Camp at the Sufficient Economic Learning Centre in Mae Rim, Chiang Mai to learn about His Majesty’s self-sufficient economy model.
Vocabulary
arduous (adj): tiring
to relish: to bo happy to do aomething; to love a challenge
burden (adj): weight; responsibility
innate (adj): inborn; natural to rouse: to awaken
perseverance (noun): determination
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