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The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand

Volume XVI-2024 (Special Issue)

the king once rode his horse into Parliament, dragged the speaker from his chair and had him

executed on the spot. This brutal act symbolized the deep animosity between the crown and
Parliament, leaving a dark mark in England’s democratic history.

In Japan, the emperor was once regarded as a divine descendent of the Sun God,
but following World War II, he had to renounce his divine status and acknowledge his humanity.

Despite this, the emperor continued to play a symbolic role in Japan’s governance.
Another remarkable example took place in 2006, when King Juan Carlos of Spain visited

Thailand to attend a forum run by the Thai government on a mega project similar to the 2023
Land Bridge project. The lecturer (Professor Dr. Wissanu Krea-ngam) explained the details of this

project to the audience and outlined how the public could get involved. At the subsequent Q&A
session, King Juan Carlos was the first to ask a question. Initially, it seemed that the King might be

interested in personally investing on this project. However, after speaking with Spanish investors,
it became clear that the King was simply inquiring on behalf of them. This is part of the Spanish

monarch’s role in supporting business development and fostering job creation and prosperity
for the country. Such a scenario contrasts with Thailand, reflecting the different historical and

cultural contexts between the two nations.
For Thailand, the king has long embraced the principle of “happy citizens, happy king.”

This philosophy has guided governance focusing on the advancement in various aspects of
society, such as physical well-being, moral standards, art and culture, quality of life and

education. Practiced for generations, this approach has allowed both the king and citizens to
thrive together without the need for conflicts or wars between them. The citizens also expect

to see their king engage in those activities and he has the skill sets to do so. The late King Rama
IX’s numerous accomplishments serve as a testament to this. In terms of material development,

the King advised the government on providing essential services like public transportation,
sanitation, and health care. In promoting ethics and virtue, he led by example, using all

forms of media to impart his teachings. In enhancing quality of life, the King launched over
3,000 projects, including the Monkey Cheek Project, the “New Theory” agriculture, and the

Self Sufficiency economy. In the realm of culture, the King managed to find time to author
many books such as the story of Mahajanaka. In music, despite not being particularly fond of

Thai musical instrument, the King was an accomplished musician skilled in jazz and composing
music that remains popular to this day. While past kings fought alongside their soldiers, His Majesty

King Rama IX’s contributions were different. Though not on the battlefield, he played a crucial
role in providing guidance and remained deeply loved by his soldiers. The King took on many

roles in the nation’s development. The lecturer (Professor Dr. Wissanu Krea-ngam) who served

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