Long live the King!
Hi again,
World cup fever has not assumed total command here but is progressing. Given the time difference the first match of the day is on TV here at 8.00pm, an ideal time to find someone with a TV and sneak round there to enjoy some communion in front of the gogglebox. Not so. We have learnt the hard way.
With eager anticipation we waited for the programming to switch from coverage of the royal family to the footie but it just kept on going. Every day there is a short Hello-Magazine-style review of the celebs movements of the day but this was an extended version, showing them getting in and out of cars, waiting for things to happen, standing talking to honoured huests, shaking hands etc. All those things that must be pretty dull to actually be doing but make even less interesting TV.
The extended coverage is due to the celebrations of the King’s 60th year since coronation. It is thought provoking to note how reverential the Thai people are to their King. Having spoken with several of them about this it seems that although the feelings are pretty universal, they are more to do with the King himself than the office he holds. He earns the respect of his people because he is fair, approachable, in touch, tolerant and not self-serving. He has created an environment of safety and progress. From our point of view the welcome he extends to other faiths is what enabled us to be here. This is not the case in any of the other countries surrounding Thailand and so it provides a stable platform to extend God’s blessing to those around.
Needless to say the King is getting on a bit and his health is a topic of discussion, partly because his successor has not proved himself to be cut from the same cloth. Indeed there is every possibility that when the King dies, things will change significantly here for the worst with reduced freedom to worship and all that comes with it. Of course, persecution can bring wonderful results as seen in the church in China but would not seem to be something that is to be welcomed. So on reflection then, although watching the football would have been a more fun option, giving thanks for the King is perhaps a more important thing to be doing. Long live the King!
Andrew