Return to previous page

His Majesty embarked early in his reign on a journey to know his subjects, and, in the process, allowed
them to get close and know him. At the same time, he used his time wisely to accumulate “constitutional”
experience and has an acute grasp of constitutional rule, but remains detached from politics, playing a
non-partisan role in the country’s political process and development.

The fact that he has persevered in activities for the long-lasting benefit of the Thai people, has very
much endeared him to his subjects--so much so that the Thais, in general, willingly and unreservedly,
accord him the confidence and trust no other monarch in our history, or indeed, in the world, has
ever enjoyed.

A constitutional monarch may dissolve Parliament, and appoint a prime minister, high-ranking officers
and civil servants. The King has also, in the process of accumulating his constitutional experience,
gained the “reserve powers” which he has put to good use to defuse national crises on a number of
occasions when “extraordinary political situations” have arisen.

Without His Majesty’s guiding hand, we would not be what we are today, a nation which has consistently
demonstrated its inner strength, political resilience, social harmony, and economic dynamism, traits which
have enabled the Thais to survive many a threat and misfortune in their long history.

He is the soul of the Thai nation. Long Live His Majesty.