Page 8 - -25-0508(ALLs)

Editorial:

His Majesty the King Rama X and the Privy Council for the Betterment
of Thai People: Learning from Interviewing Five Privy Councillors*

Professor Sanya Sukpanichnant, MD

Associate Fellow of the Academy of Science,
The Royal Society of Thailand

On assignment given by Professor Emeritus Dr. Surapol Issaragrisil, President of

nd
the Royal Society of Thailand, on the special occasion of the 72 Anniversary of H.M.
the King’s birthday on 28 July 2024, the author has learned a great deal after interviewing

5 Privy Councilors, including H.E. General Surayud Chulanont (President of the Privy Council),
H.E. Prof. Dr. Kasem Watanachai, H.E. General Dapong Ratanasuwan, H.E. General Paiboon
Koomchaya, and H.E. Dr. Jaranthada Karnasuta. The interviews were organized by Mrs. Naruemon

Kriphon, Director, Arts Division of the Office of the Royal Society of Thailand, three Literateurs,
professional level (Mrs. Wantana Moonjan, Mr. Piyaphong Phoyen, and Mr. Napon Pornprasatsook),
and an officer (Ms. Katanyuta Maneepong) on 5 March 2024, 30 April 2024, 7 May 2024,

18 June 2024, and 1 July 2024 at the Office of His Majesty Privy Council, Saranrom Park,
Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok, Thailand.

His Majesty the King Rama X and his initial royal command

“I shall continue, preserve, enhance, and rule the land justly for the perpetual benefit
and happiness of the people.”

This is the initial royal command given by His Majesty the King Rama X on 4 May 2019,
emphasizing the 2 main principles that he will carry out during his reign – to rule the country
with righteousness and to serve his people for their benefit and happiness. Since then,

His Majesty the King has demonstrated his commitments in his activities together with
Her Majesty the Queen, the royal family members, and the royal institution. His Majesty the King

always pays great attention to petitions submitted by any Thai citizen in distress. In order
to resolve the suffering promptly, the Privy Council gives priority to this issue and reports to
the King to obtain any further royal advice.
The Privy Council is responsible for offering advice to the King if solicited and other duties

as specified in the Constitution. At present, the office of the Privy Council is one of the King’s
three agencies; the other two are the Bureau of the Royal Household and the Royal Security.

* This is an English version adapted from the article with the same title in Thai published in the book
“The Royal Institution and Academic Advancement of the Nation” (สถาบัันพระมหากษััตริย์์กับัวิิวิัฒนาการทาง
วิิชาการของประเทศ).
1

7/7/2568 BE 15:17
-25-0508(001)P5.indd 1 7/7/2568 BE 15:17
-25-0508(001)P5.indd 1