For the last few years Thais have flocked in large numbers to Siriraj hospital, day in and day out, to sign books wishing His Majesty the King well and a quick recovery from his ailments. Their wishes have been answered and on Friday the King will make his first trip outside Bangkok in two years, to revisit a site in Ayutthaya where he initiated the monkey cheek project 16 years ago.
It will be a truly joyful moment, not only for the people in Ayutthaya province but for people across the kingdom when they see their beloved King has recovered from his ailments satisfactorily enough to once again venture out of the capital.
The mere sight of our King being able to leave Siriraj hospital, having been in an out of hospital care for the past few years and to visit his subjects outside Bangkok will bring happiness and joy to all the Thai people who have wished him well and have prayed for his quick recovery.
Accompanied by Her Majesty the Queen and members of the Royal Family, HM the King will visit Thung Makham Yong in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district of Ayutthaya where, 16 years ago on May 14, 1996, he observed the harvesting of second-crop rice in the field which used water from a reservoir of his royally initiated project.
On that visit, the King personally harvested some rice in the field using a sickle.
The clip below, uploaded to YouTube by cosovo999, shows His Majesty the King harvesting some rice in the field in Ayutthaya province on May 14, 1996.
Thung Makham Yong is the site of a water retention project, or kaem ling (monkey cheek), initiated by the King 16 years ago. Covering altogether 250 rai with 180 rai converted into a reservoir, it is used to retain excess water from the Chao Phraya river during the rainy season and, during the dry season, water in the reservoir is used to feed surrounding paddy fields.
As a result of the King’s initiative, rice farmers around the area have benefited from the project in terms of increased rice yields and incomes.
Sawasdi Promthat, 79, stands beside a paddy field where His Majesty the King harvested rice in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district of Ayutthaya 16 years ago. (Photo by Sunthorn Pongpao)
Thung Makham Yong is also a site of historical significance. It was the battlefield between the Ayutthaya troops and invading Burmese forces during the Ayutthaya period. A main fixture at the site is the statue of Queen Suriyothai, the heroic wife of King Chakkraphat who, legend says, sacrificed her life to save her king after his elephant stumbled during the battle.
But this time around, the King will not harvest any rice. The King and members of the Royal Family will watch various folk performances, including a boat procession, and a light and sound and elephant show during the two-hour stay. They will also have dinner at Siriyalai villa in Koh Muang neighbourhood of Ayutthaya.
The Ayutthaya provincial administration led by Governor Witthaya Piewpong plans to show HM the King the sickle that he used to harvest paddy 16 years ago and ask for his permission to have it kept at a memorial in Thung Hantra, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district.
The provincial administration also plans to rename Thung Makham Yong and the adjoining Thung Phu Khao Thong “Land of the King’s Mercy” as a tribute to the King.
It is a shame that the paddy field where the King harvested rice on his last visit 16 years ago has been essentially forgotten. There is no physical structure explaining the significance of the place. Not even a road sign.
Tens of thousands people will be at Thung Makham Yong to welcome Their Majesties the King and Queen, who will be accompanied by a horde of officials, including Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra who will take this opportunity to donate the seven rai of land owned by the Shinawatra family in Thung Makham Yong to the royal project.