To cast highlight on a prominent figure with abundant gratefulness to his mother, all citizens of Thailand would echo in one voice that it can be no other than their most beloved His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

His Majesty the King has graciously fulfilled the above mentioned wishes of his royal mother, Her Royal Highness Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Baromarajajanani, or widely referred to as “the Princess Mother”. His grateful deeds can be illustrated as follows:

 

 

1. “In old age, HOPE for your heeds.”

– The picture of His Majesty the King assisting the Princess Mother by her side is one of the most familiar to the eye of Thai people. While on her journeys throughout the country, despite the presence of royal guards and nurses, he was always at her side providing gentle support while instructing the officials, “She is my mother. Let me help her.”

Prior to the Princess Mother’s passing at the age of 93, His Majesty the King managed to provide his time, apart from numerous missions, in traveling to Sra Pathum Palace nearly every day in order to accompany the Princess Mother for dinner.

For each visit, His Majesty the King greeted the Princess Mother by prostrating himself on her lap, which would be succeeded by her propping him up for a loving embrace and a sweet kiss on his cheek.

The Princess Mother was born a commoner, named Sangwan, and spent her childhood behind Wat Anong like any other girl. In contrast, His Majesty the King was born with the high rank of “Phra Ong Chao” and eventually ascended as King of Thailand. However, the exhibition of overflowing gratefulness to his mother, a commoner, earned him the greatest love a mother could bestow on her son while deeply touching the hearts of all Thai citizens across the nation.

2. “In frailty, HOPE for your ease". – While the Princess Mother was kept under medical attention at Siriraj Hospital after falling ill, His Majesty the King paid her long-hour visits every day. With great love for his royal mother and concern over her frail health, he sometimes persisted in remaining at her bedside until past four o’clock in the morning. Both royals once concurrently lodged at Siriraj Hospital for their treatments. However, His Majesty never overlooked his sonly duties despite his own sickness. Before the Princess Mother on a wheelchair would be guided outside for fresh air by nurses, he kindly informed them, “I will guide my mother,” and proceeded behind her wheelchair.

3. “In the fade of my breaths, HOPE for your last warm caress.” On the darkening day, His Majesty the King had rested alongside the Princess Mother at Siriraj Hospital all night holding her hands, wrapping his arms warmly around her, and providing her with assistance until she fell asleep. As soon as His Majesty the King returned to Suan Jitrlada Palace at around 4 or 5 o’clock in the morning, he received a saddening report that the Princess Mother had passed away and thus hurried back to the hospital. Upon His Majesty’s arrival, there peacefully lay the Princess Mother’s body in her bed as he knelt down to prostrate himself on her chest. He rested his head on her fainted heart for a long pause, and as he rose, tears slowly began to roll down his face. He then picked up her comb to gently brush her hair and dressed her in the most magnificent clothing as the day marked the last day of her precious life and the day of his greatest loss. Such extraordinary gratitude His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej had for the Princess Mother has indescribably impressed and moved all citizens within the Kingdom of Thailand as well as witnesses across the globe.