Evening star., 1960-07-04
BY DAVID LANCASHIRE
Associated Press star Writer

e@eN@1~S@~-@A
His % million subjects re-
gard him with awe as the
personification of Thailand's
traditional magnificence. But
on occasion he has shaved his
head and begged barefoot in
the streets.
His Majesty is a fine man
and a righteous King" a
sarong-clad bazaar merchant
ventures respectfully, touching
his umbrella like straw hat.
The King is a great guy, a
real musician" says Max
Kaminsky, New York jazzman,
The Siamese sovereign is
visiting the United States for
the first time since he was
born 80 years ago in Cambridge,
Mass. At that time his father,
the late Prince Mahidol, was a
medical student at Harvard.
Bhumibol's schedule calls for
him to 60 to Washington June
% to start a To-day State visit,
With him will be Her Serene
Highness Queen Sirikit, a stun
ming, lissome beauty of %,
Thailand's first lady and a de-
voted, efficient mother of four
Keeps Nation United
Bhumibol, who succeeded to
a shaky throne after his elder
brothers assassination IA years
ago, has been a major force in
keeping his rich, tropical
country united despite con-
tinuous political turmoil and
a series of military coups
d'etat.
Widely read and with a deep
interest in Thailand'S future,
Bhumibol has only limited
power as King, far less than his
ancestors of the Chakri dynasty
who ruled with powers of life
or death when the country was
called Siam.
A slight, shy, but sharply per-
ceptive and determined man
Bhumibol virtually hides behind
a mask in public. He wears
dark glasses and rarely changes
the detached, ascetic expression
of his face.
Asked by a villager why he
never smiles, the King an
swered: II don't have to; the
Queen does it for me-"
Queen Is Radiant
The reply was a sucinct sum.
mary of the way Thailand sees
the King and Queen: Bhumibol
quiet, kindly. concerned for his
people, and with an aloof dig,
nifty; Sirikit radiant, at ease
with the people, dispatchine
her royal duties with charm
grace and gaiety.
The young couple were raised
abroad, and both speak several
languages. Bhumibol, who
studied science in Switzerland
saw Thailand only twice be-
fore he took the throne. Con-
ditioned by centuries Of court
tradition, they live a mixture
of Western and Asian ideas.
II would like to have been a
scientist if were not King,
Bhumibol confided to a for
eign educator. A strong sup
porter of tradition. he would
nevertheless like to see Thai
land become a modern nation
Royal functions are held In
Bangkok's Grand Palace, home
of the Emerald Buddha, where
golden spires rise in Oriental
lsplendor above the Chai Phya
River.
Bhumibol and Sirikit live in
the more modest, European
styled Chitr Lada (Heart Of
the Flower Palace. a former
golf club set among palm trees
with monkeys, parrots and
whimsically -sculptured bushes
p. for the children-and ringed
by slow-flowing canals.
Devoted Parents
The couple are devoted par
ents. spending hours playing
with the children crown r
Prince Vajiralongkorn, 7,
Princess Ubol Ratana, 9; Prin-
cess Sirindhorn, 5, and Princess
Chulabhorn, "a pert, black
eyed foursome who resemble
their mother.
Wearing a polo shirt and run.
ming shoes, the King untangle.
kite strings for the Prince whilt
the Queen sits on the grounc
telling stories or playing games
with the girls.
Both take an active interes
in the special royal school
teachers at an ordinary schoo
would spoil them thu
children attend classes with 4;
commoners.
Bhumibol is the first Tha
King to have made a real effor'
to reach the people. Far more
than any previous monarch
he has toured the nations
jungle and rice paddy villages
chatting with the peasants.
who sometimes trek three day
through the jungle just to ge'
look at him.
Heads Red Cross
Sirikit, president of the Ret
Cross and busily involved il
charity work, makes even NOR,
public appearances than he
husband. Her bright silk dresses
set the fashion pattern fol
Bangkok's society.
In 1856, Sirikit held tn,
throne herself as regent-un
heard-of for a woman-whil,
the King took the saffron robt,
of a Buddhist priest and tenn
porarily entered a monastery
Then. as other monks do. h.
shaved his head and walked tn,
streets with begging bowl.
Unlike his ancestors, VIII,