The King

When I got off the skytrain in central Bangkok this afternoon, no one was being allowed to descend the escalator to the street level. I asked an attendant what was happening and she told me that the king was traveling through the avenue below the skytrain. Shortly after she told me the reason for the delay a procession of police on motorcycles and then several other vehicles, a Rolls Royce and trailing motorcycles and cars passed. I thought that it was interesting that no one seemed disturbed at having to wait, unlike what would have been the reaction at home or probably in England. Our culture would benefit by adopting the Asian attitudes of respect and courtesy.

Here the king is revered and his picture is prominently and voluntarily displayed in all businesses and also on billboards like the one shown above. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX, was coronated in 1946 making him the world's longest reigning monarch.

The Thai people are concerned that this may be their last king , as his only son is considered a scoundrel and unfit to serve as head of state. Under Thai law he and all the royal family are exempt from legal action. Otherwise much of his self indulgent behavior would be considered criminal. The Thai royal dynasty has existed since 1248 and has inspired, among other things, a broadway musical "The King and I".

I applied for a 3 month visa for Vietnam today and if processing takes less than 48 hours I hope to fly to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) on Friday. For all its good qualities Thailand is expensive and

I might as well get someplace where I think I might like to settle in for a while and teach English. When I was in Vietnam earlier this year I observed a booming economy and a hunger for English. I hope they will be as welcoming to me as I expect.