soundman

His Majesty the King takes 50 steps without his cane
Samrit Jiamjarernporn
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- His Majesty the King is on his way to full recovery and was able to take 50 steps without needing his cane, Privy Council member Chalit Phupasuk revealed yesterday.

He added that His Majesty should be moving out of Siriraj Hospital soon.

Chalit was speaking while handing out gifts granted by Their Majesties the King and Queen to poor people in Lampang yesterday.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her family are planning to present a historic field in Ayutthaya's Thung Makham Yong to His Majesty because it is at this plot where the King himself harvested a rice crop in 1996.

"We will present the 7-rai field to His Majesty," Yingluck said yesterday. "This historic field should be conserved."

She refused to elaborate, saying that details would be provided only after the plot was handed over to the much-beloved monarch. The plot is said to be worth about Bt20 million.

Her intention to present the land plot to the King comes just two days before the monarch is set to make another historic visit to Thung Makham Yong.

Accompanied by Her Majesty the Queen and HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the much-revered King will make a personal visit to Thung Makham Yong tomorrow.

It will be his first trip out of Greater Bangkok in recent years. Since His Majesty was admitted to Siriraj Hospital for treatment in 2009, he has hardly left its compound.

Historic field

Thung Makham Yong is in tambon Ban Mai, Muang district, Ayutthaya province. The area is of much significance not only because His Majesty visited it in 1996 but because it is here that Queen Suriyothai of the Ayutthaya Period fought bravely against an invading army and sacrificed her life defending the Kingdom.

His Majesty has planned the visit to Makham Yong because he wishes to supervise one of his royally initiated projects there.

Their Majesties the King and Queen and other members of the Royal Family are scheduled to leave Siriraj Hospital at 4.30pm, and are expected to arrive in Ayutthaya at around 5.20pm tomorrow.

Many agencies have planned grand performances for the royal members. The shows will include an elephant parade, a procession of boats, and more.

Locals in Ayutthaya are eagerly awaiting the King's visit.

waiting for a glimpse

Sommai Sakthanawat, 55, said he and all family members would close their food shop for a glimpse of His Majesty. "We are so glad that he is coming to our home town," he said. "We want to welcome him and chant 'Long Live the King'."

Somnuk Rattanapin, 78, said she planned to wait for His Majesty from the morning. His upcoming visit has brought her much delight.

"I have always wanted to see him again. I saw him once when I was a village scout," she said.

Lek Sripisut, a 65-year-old dessert vendor, said she was glad because the King's visit meant his health was improving.

"When he's ill, I am sad," she said.

Pree Chuankamon, 67, said he loved the King a lot and always followed news about him.

Thiraporn Lawansiri, 27, said her whole family was excited about His Majesty's upcoming visit.

"We are waiting for the day we can welcome him and express our wishes for his good health and a long and happy life," she said.


-- The Nation 2012-05-24

HM the King to visit Ayutthaya on Friday



BANGKOK, May 23 -- His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej will visit Thailand's former capital of Ayutthaya on Friday, the first long distance trip outside Bangkok since he was admitted to Siriraj Hospital on September 19, 2009 with symptoms of fever, lung inflammation and fatigue.

HM the King has recovered but has remained in hospital ever since, both for physical therapy and nourishment to regain his strength.

Rajaprachanukroh Foundation chairman Dissathorn Watcharothai on Tuesday chaired a meeting in preparation for the trip which was attended by Ayutthaya governor Witthaya Piewpong.

Their majesties the King and Queen and the members of Royal Family will leave Siriraj Hospital at 4.30pm, and are expected to arrive at Ayutthaya at around 5.20pm.

HM the King will visit Thung Makham Yong in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district, the location of the ‘monkey cheek’ water retention area royal project designed to retain and divert flood water and home to the monument of Queen Srisuriyothai of Ayutthaya.

The monarch harvested rice from the royal experimental rice field in Thung Makham Yong on May 14, 1996.

Their Majesties are expected to enjoy various activities including a light and sound show and a folk boat procession prepared by local residents.

A large crowd of well wishers is expected to gather at Thung Makham Yong and along the route from Siriraj Hospital to Ayutthaya. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2012-05-23

"You can't let a human being die on the street"

Well, apparently you can. The article provides an illustration of palliative care and mental health resources for Thailand's poor and destitute.

This scheme was never intended to help farmers or Thailand to begin with.  It was always meant to be a handout of the budget to the connected politicians who control rice mills in exchange for supporting Thaksin.  He needs massive monetary handouts in order to keep those powerful feudal politicians loyal to him, and to keep their support in his quest for a pardon for his crimes and in order to get the money the courts took from him, the money he stole from the Thai people, returned.  The disastrous affects this policy may have on farmers or on the nation as a whole are completely irrelevant.  The plan is working as designed.

At upto 328% tax...is it any wonder

Re the above comments about the original news report being 'pulled," I see the original news post in this thread remains, but the article it linked to that formerly was on the Pattaya One website now seems to have disappeared...in its entirety.... vanished without a trace....

How odd.... interesting.... unusual.... Well, maybe not so unusual for Thailand.