King of Thailand dies after 70 year reign

A

Ameriscot

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I know from spending our winters in Thailand that the king is worshipped by Thais. His photo is everywhere! At the begining of a film in the cinemas there is a tribute to the king played and the audience must stand. His birthday is during our winter visits and it is a very big deal. As a tourist we know to say nothing about the king or the royal family as you will get a 15 year prison sentence if you say anything negative about them or even make a joke.

I know that the son who is the next in line is not looked on favourably by the public, so don't know how that will play out. I'm expecting them to still be in mourning when we arrive in Thailand on Dec 1st, and possibly the entire 3 months we are there.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/13/thai-king-bhumibol-adulyadej-dies-after-70-year-reign

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-37643326
 

When we called in on a cruise visit a couple of years ago we heard how revered the king was from our bus tour guide. We also heard how his son is not seen in the same light and is considered to be a bit if a play boy.
 
I'm curious to see how the people accept the new king. I dare not ask what they think though.

The king was born in Cambridge, Mass while his father was attending Harvard Medical School.
 

I remember when I was in Jordan ( no one could talk bad about the king there either) King Hussein had died and been followed by his son King Abdullah. King Abdullah's mother was ethnically English . King Abdullah had continuing education in America and England ans was commissioned into the British Army and then later served in the Royal Jordanian Army. ( I'm sure I'm leaving stuff out) . There were rumblings when I was there that they viewed him sort of as a 'foreigner' that had taken up the throne. They did mention that someone ruling their country should speak Arabic better than he did & they didn't think he spoke Arabic like an Arab. Resent him or not he was accepted as part of life in a place where you can't criticize the king ;) I do not know if he has been finally accepted well though, because I have not been back there for so many years now. In places like that they may tell you a small amount of what they think once some trust is established , but will almost immediately regret saying anything by then giving him an abundance of compliments.
 
BlunderWoman said:
I think she was ethnically English, but British if I'm saying that right. That is so confusing to me *shame*
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Queen Noor was American. Born in DC.

Right. British is anyone in England, Scotland, Wales. English is...well English (and British). My other passport is 'British', or more properly UK.
 
Ameriscot said:
Queen Noor was American. Born in DC.

Right. British is anyone in England, Scotland, Wales. English is...well English (and British). My other passport is 'British', or more properly UK.
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Oh yeah I forgot about her she came after the British one didn't she?
 
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