HM the King says “I’m just like other human beings”

“I’m just like other human beings. On some days I feel despondent. On some days I feel sad.”

In a rare occurrence, His Majesty the King Maha Vajiralongkorn sat down and spoke with a group of student volunteers at the 11th Infantry Regiment, the King’s Guard. He explained, candidly, to the 200 high school students “I am just like other human beings.”

Since HM the King’s return from Germany in October, he’s made several unprecedented public appearances in a charm offensive mounted by the Palace. The Monarch has resided in the German state of Bavaria for the majority of the time since he became King in October 2016, on the occasion of his father’s passing. His return to a much more public life coincides with the student-led pro-democracy movement which is calling reform of the role of the Thai monarch, a topic considered taboo in Thai society. Many activists face lèse majesté charges for insulting or defaming the monarchy.

At the gathering in Bangkok for the LOVE camp (leadership, oneness, volunteer and experience), Their Maesties the King and Queen sat down with students and answered questions. One student asked if his work as Thai Head of State ever makes him tired.

“On some days I feel despondent. On some days I feel sad. On some days, I almost don’t want to fight the bad things. But it’s all human nature… We come to realise that moral support doesn’t come to us when we’re at our strongest point. Never let despondence become the evil that pulls us down.”

“We should think about the country and think about how the institution of the monarchy and the people are inseparable. We need only look at what His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great accomplished during his 70 years. Our younger generations may have forgotten about him.”

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej was Thailand’s King from 1946 until October 2016.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post

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