Is king Bhumibol really "divine"?

Over the last 60 years, Thai people have had it drummed into them that their monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej (currently the longest serving monarch in the world, as if that merits a prize) is "divine", a "demi-God" even. The myth of the "divine king" has been achieved by a clever mix of "love bombing" propaganda and lese majeste legislation.

But, who exactly is Bhumibol Adulyadej? Where was he born? Where was his brother born? What was his first address? Most Thais, even the most fervent royalists, couldn't even begin to answer these simple questions. Such things are not discussed in Thailand.

I recently came across a very interesting factual article By Stephen Cleary, which explodes all the fairytale myths surrounding the "divine" Thai king. It turns out that Bhumibol, or "Lek" as he was known during his spotty teenage years, did not descend from the clouds on some magical golden barge, to rule in righteousness for the benefit of the Siamese people.

.

.

In fact, "Lek" was born at Mount Auburn Hospital in Massachusetts (see photograph above). His first modest home was in 63 Longwood Avenue (see photograph below), a world away from his Golden Palace in Bangkok. His elder brother Ananda Mahidol was born in Germany. The two brothers only ever spoke to each other in French. King Bhumibol's mother, Princess Srinakharin, was a Chinese-Thai orphan with nothing more than a basic education.

.

Ha! Old "Lek" is no more "divine" than I am- Bah!

.

To read the complete article, click here: http://www.thai-blogs.com/index.php/2009/10/21/the-birthplace-of-king-bhumibol?blog=8