I was born in the reign of King Rama 9 of Thailand. Today Thai people all over the world are mourning his death.
Yes, our beloved King has died.
After a long battle with ill health his body wore out. His Majesty the King is freed from suffering and has left us. We mourn that his body is gone but we know that his spirit lives with us forever.
As I ventured into Hollywood's Thai Town today, I saw Thai people everywhere wearing black and the atmosphere was eerily somber. We are a people who are mourning deeply the passing of our dear father.
I, along with all Thai people, came to see His Majesty King Bhumibol as a father figure whose entire life was dedicated to our welfare. He was the people's King. Revered for his tender care, lifting his people up from poverty by teaching them skills so they could fend for themselves, trudging through croplands in distant provinces, tending to the many development projects he encouraged and oversaw, he was a tireless champion of his country's development, demonstrating utter devotion to improving the lives and the standard of living of his people.
Like a father, he wanted the best for his children. His was not a jet set life, because he said there was too much to do at home.
Our King was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, educated in Switzerland and spoke impeccable English and French. He composed music, played jazz on the clarinet and saxophone, wrote, painted, took up photography and spent hours in a greenhouse at his Chitrlada Palace in Bangkok.
Yes, my beloved King had a worldly bent indeed, and he used his knowledge to lift up his people. Thailand was transformed during his reign. From a mostly agricultural economy to a modern one of industry and commerce and a growing middle class, the growth cycle was tremendous.
His Majesty always taught peace and compassion, and commanded great love and respect within Thailand. He was a calming symbol of unity. In a political crisis, Thais admired him for his ability to defuse discord among warring factions, sometimes with only a gesture, even aborting a coup by simply asking for cooperation between the politicians.
It is no wonder that His Majesty the King of Thailand has been described by U.S. President Obama as a man of "grace and warmth", and leaders all over the world who admired, respected and loved His Majesty, mourn his loss as do we, the Thai people.
Rest in Peace, my beloved King.
You will live in my heart forever.
© Rani St. Pucchi, 2016Rani St. Pucchi is a Couture Fashion Designer and a Relationship Expert. She is an Author, a Speaker, an Inspirational Coach and Trainer. Among the books Rani has written Your Body, Your Style: Simple Tips on Dressing to Flatter Your Body Type is now available at Amazon.com and everywhere books are sold. Other titles to be released soon include The SoulMate Checklist and 101 SoulMate Affirmations. For more information on Rani please visit www.ranistpucchi.com