The Modern Monarchy

The institution of monarchy in Thailand is in many ways unique, often difficult for outsiders to fully comprehend. Not only does it have a history going back more than seven hundred years, but it also continues to function with extraordinary relevance and vitality in the contemporary world. Indeed, although the Revolution of 1932 brought an end to monarchy in its absolute from, the institution today can be said to be more powerful then ever in the sense of providing a unifying element for the country, a focal point that brings together people from all backgrounds and shades of political thought and gives them an intense awareness of being Thai.

This was clearly shown by the unprecedented outpouring of public pride and personal affection that greeted the occasion in 1988 of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's becoming the longest-reigning monarch in Thai history and is also apparent in countless other ways, large and small.
The intensity of respect felt by Thai people for their King stems in large part from the distinctive form the modern monarchy has taken under his own leader-ship, one that involves a remarkable degree of personal contact. At the same time, it is rooted in attitudes that can be traced to the earliest days of Thailand as a nation and in some of the past rulers who continued to serve as models of kingship.

With permission from : The National Identity Office, Office of the Prime Minister, Royal Thai government. (1995). Thailand in the 90s. Bangkok: Amarin Printing and Publishing Public Company Limited.