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It was His Majesty who suggested that dikes should be built at various points along the river to
stem the rising tide. Few saw the importance of this advice, and only after serious flooding struck
again in 1983 did authorities rush in to build the structures. Yet again in 1995, says Mr Prasert,
His Majesty’s assistance and advice saved the city from the consequences of flooding.
“I have to admit that without the King becoming involved in combatting the floods last year,
the city would not have been able to contain them, and inestimable damage would have resulted
for the country.”

His Majesty’s thought and concern for the people are never-ending. Mr Prasert recalls that
when flooding struck the Sanam Luang area in 1995, he received a phone call from one of
His Majesty’s aides at 3 am. “I was told to inform the public as soon as possible so as to avoid
panic.”

City officials, many of whom are among the most knowledgeable about traffic and flooding,
are often amazed at how His Majesty is able to come up with solutions to alleviate problems.
Being able to step back and take a wider view of the problem certainly helps. But His Majesty
also uses technological developments to assist his work, such as computers, often surveying
trouble spots himself. His deep knowledge and understanding of conditions in the provinces
enables him to come up with solutions others do not think of.

The city clerk said that people have often asked him how His Majesty knew beforehand when
there would be serious flooding. “I asked the King about this once. He laughed and said it
was a long story, and he would tell me one day.”