TIME praises King Bhumibol as Asian Hero

BANGKOK, Nov 7 (TNA) - His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand is praised by TIME Magazine in its current issue as an Asian Hero who has inspired the Thai people during his 60 years on the throne.

American weekly newsmagazine TIME's November 13 issue said that during a reign of 60 years, His Majesty the King has been a beloved monarch who used his moral authority to guide Thailand through many crises.

King Bhumibol also gave his advice to governments, always urging them to put public interest first, said TIME.

"His stewardship has been so masterful that in times of crisis Thais invariably turn to one man: King Bhumibol. Indeed, on two occasions--October 1973 and May 1992--with Thailand descending into chaos, the King, armed only with his moral authority, intervened to end bloodshed," the magazine said.

In October 14, 1973 a student-led uprising helped topple the military regime of Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn.

May 1992 was later called ''Bloody May'' after the military opened fire on unarmed demonstrators calling for the resignation of a general who had taken power in a bloodless coup.

The military led by then army chief Gen. Suchinda Kraprayoon toppled the government of late prime minister Chatichai Choonhavan in a coup.

Thousands of people took to the streets of Bangkok to protest the military's seizure of the power after Gen. Suchinda took the premiership.

A subsequent bloody army crackdown saw scores of protestors killed. Many others are still missing.

On September 19 this year, a group of generals again seized power, pledging to give Thailand a fairer and more stable democratic system. The Thai people believe the generals will keep their promise as they had vowed to King Bhumibol to return power to the people in one year.

Time Magazine said that when King Bhumibol, at age 18, ascended the throne, some media, including TIME, wondered whether the inexperienced teenager could weather the kingdom's bumpy political situation. Now, His Majesty the King has proved his ablilities and his devoted effort to help the people.

TIME added that His Majesty the King initiated over 3,000 royal projects to help the poor, saying that even as a communist insurgency raged, he personally delivered relief to remote villages.

He is the world's longest-reigning monarch and this year Thailand celebrates the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's accession to the throne.

In this special issue, the magazine selected 64 persons as Asian Heroes, divided into five catagories --nation builders, artists and thinkers, business leaders, athletes and explorers, and inspirations.

TNA