Monday, July 25, 2011

HM Bhumibol Adulyadej - The King As A Younger Man


His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (also known as King Rama IX) hasn't been granting audiences or appearing in public for a couple of years, with rare exceptions. At 83 years old there is concern among his subjects about his health, and photos of him are also rare.  The photo below is one of the "approved" portraits of the beloved monarch, but today's photos are of the man in more vibrant and youthful times.


The photo up top is a more candid glimpse of him from several decades ago, and is probably my favorite picture of him. The quality of the images is a little off because they're my pictures of pictures, taken at a display at the Rama II Summer Palace, now a lovely park in Amphawa. The images at the display concentrated more on the 1950s and 1960s, and the quality of the originals left something to be desired due to enlargement of the snapshots, etc.


Nevertheless, they're a glimpse of a man enjoying life - such as the moment right after their wedding, below -  and I thought they were worth passing along today.



More about Rama II Park itself next time.
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6 comments:

  1. ChristianJuly 25, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    The king is currently 83 years old.

    ReplyDelete
  2. khunbaobaoJuly 25, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    You're right, Christian - typo on my part. Now corrected. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. DethJune 21, 2012 at 9:25 AM

    Hello,
    Could you please EDIT your "label" in the above photo of the King.
    He is not His Royal Highness (HRH) but His Majesty (HM). The title HRH refers to before he was a Prince. When he is King we must address him as His Majesty (HM).

    Thank you

    Deth

    ReplyDelete
  4. khunbaobaoJune 21, 2012 at 5:38 PM

    Thank you for taking the time to correct my mistake, Deth. I've made the change to the title and text.

    I appreciate you pointing that out.

    Best wishes to you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Melissa JenksFebruary 26, 2014 at 9:06 PM

    I too love the picture at the top, also my favorite of the king and queen. The larger size is even better--because doesn't it show the car that they're lounging in? They look so happy and in love. I've been looking for a copy to buy and frame but have been unable to find one--any ideas?

    ReplyDelete
  6. khunbaobaoMarch 3, 2014 at 7:31 AM

    I'd probably start with the Thai Government Public Relations Department, as they handle almost all official public relations and should have a line on any photos officially available for circulation, Melissa.

    The link to that site is:
    http://thailand.prd.go.th/about_prd/index.php

    If you would, let me know how it goes if you pursue this with them... We'd be interested in hearing about it. Thanks for the comment, and please join in again any time!

    ReplyDelete

Just to save time: I'm not an expert on Thailand in any way, shape or form; I do this for the satisfaction I get from sharing with others. Constructive comments, criticism, suggestions and feedback are always welcome.