It's Good To Be King

My friend is either pregnant or Thailand's first swine flu victim (not sure which would be worse), so Phuket was kind of a bust. I was looking forward to going out with her, but she only joined me for short bursts of time. She was even going to drive me around on a motorbike! Despite the nausea, she was able to impart some wisdom onto me before taking to bed. I learned a few new Thai phrases, and I got a kick out of hearing her speak Thai. It is really funny to see people's reactions when they address her in English and she responds in Thai.

She also explained Thailand's plethora of pale yellow polo shirts. They have some script on them, sometimes striped trim, and always a small embroidered design (usually the royal crest) on the chest. Apparently, these are "king shirts" worn to show reverence for the royal family. As far as I know, the king is a figurehead, but the prime minister holds all the political power. You can wear your king shirt whenever you please, but Mondays are most popular. Some employers (such as my friend's school) require staff to wear king shirts on Mondays. The shirts are also available in pink, but yellow is most popular because it is the "king's color." I don't understand if this his is personal choice or what. Instead of the royal crest, some shirts are embroidered with some of the king's favorite items. Saxophones or puppies, for example. Seriously.

I am not mocking these shirts; I am simply reporting the facts. Laissez majeste (criticism of the king or royal family) is a serious crime in Thailand that carries a maximum penalty of 7 years in prison. Lips zipped! The king's face is everywhere here... I will never forget him. He is pictured on giant billboards along the roads and posters in every restaurant. With 60+ years on the throne, he is the world's current longest-ruling monarch. He is very well-liked and respected by the Thai people. Then again, I guess you don't really have a choice??

During the recent political protests in Bangkok, there was a lot of speculation that the trouble would come to an end if only the king would speak up and ask for peace. He didn't say a word and hasn't been seen in public for some time, so now people worry that he is ill. Inquiring minds want to know!