The former King pictured, as he was in the area scouting for the best location to put a Dam. If you have spent any significant amount of time in Thailand, you see photos like this in areas where various projects were undertaken by Rama IX. Some may see them as propaganda, I do not.

He was truly a great example of what a good King is supposed to do for his country, and his people. And sometimes, especially in Asian culture (which has always been hierarchical) and in an atmosphere of ongoing war, that includes being heavy handed, in order to keep peace and order. Considering the circumstances he had to navigate, and how Thailand now looks compared to all of it's neighbors by nearly any measure, he did a very good job.

During an interview he gave to a BBC reporter in the 70's or 80's, both of them sitting on the floor of his "office" with police radios playing in the background, it was apparent he was not only intelligent, but also seemed to be fairly humble, certainly for someone in his position. Despite the attempts by outside influences to mold Thailand based on what was best for them, he did what was best for Thailand, and the results are self-evident.

I cannot overstate how much I admire him. Read "A Life's Work" to get a better feel for both the man, and the times he had to navigate.

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