King Bhumibol in Switzerland

The 1961 video clip entitled Le Roi de Thailande en Famille by Radio Télévision Suisse Archives has been widely shared among Thais following the death of King Bhumibol.  <p style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top:20px;">The 20-minute clip features a rare interview of the late King speaking in French about his duties as a monarch and father of four. The interview took place in Switzerland where His Majesty King Bhumibol and his family was staying as part of his six-month extended tour of Europe in 1960.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 20px;">Here is an unofficial English translation of an excerpt of the interview translated from French to Thai by Elle Thailand’s Nuttika Ongksirimemongkol.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 20px;">The interview started with the interviewer asking Her Majesty Queen Sirikit to introduce her two daughters who were seen sitting with her. Speaking in French, HM the Queen said the one sitting next to her is named Chulabhorn [HRH Princess Chulabhorn] aged three and a half. The next one, five and a half year old, is called Sirindhorn (HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn].</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 20px;">The interviewer inquired about the princesses’ character. HM the Queen said her youngest daughter is more feminine than the elder one who appears cheerful and active. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 20px;">The interviewer then asked HM King Bhumibol what his objective was in visiting 14 countries in Europe. The late King replied that he went there to show his good will and friendship towards those countries.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 20px;">The interviewer then asked how the King started his day. His Majesty King Bhumibol laughed then said: “I wake up.”</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 20px;">After that, the late King elaborated that it’s rather difficult to explain what he did in one day as each day brought different kinds of work. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 20px;">The late King said he paid attention to public health because it concerns people’s well-being. Buddhism, meanwhile, is a pillar of the nation. It is the base for traditions and customs, the centre of people’s hearts and their ways of living.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 20px;">The interviewer asked about the late King’s private life, whether he had any hobbies. HM King Bhumibol said he liked music and sports, including badminton, swimming and water-skiing.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 20px;">The late King also told the interviewer about unique Thai sports of kite fighting and takraw.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 20px;">As for music, HM King Bhumibol said he started to play the saxophone when he was 15. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 20px;">“How about composing?’’ the interviewer asked.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 20px;">HM King Bhumibol said he became curious about song-writing after he saw that one of his relatives could compose songs without knowing musical notes. The late King said once he saw that he wanted to give it a try. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 20px;">The late King said he did not publicise the first song he wrote because he felt it was not good enough. For the second work, he said he composed the melody for which his relative wrote the lyrics. The song was called Love at Sundown, which he granted to be used for charity.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 20px;">The interviewer asked where did HM King Bhumibol find inspiration for his song-writing. The late King said he could not set aside any specific time to play or compose music. He said a King’s work was 24 hours a day.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 20px;">The interviewer noted that HM King Bhumibol talked about the kingship as if it were a profession. The late King said it was somewhat like a profession but a special one as there is no school that teaches how to become a king. In general, the late King said, a king has to know everything. At least, a king must have a base of knowledge that allows him to understand all kinds of problems which may occur anytime.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 20px;">The interviewer then turned his focus to the late King’s family and asked how he prepared them for their future duties. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 20px;">HM King Bhumibol said it was a difficult thing to do. The late King said while he would like his son and daughters to lead a normal life like other children, who could run around or go to normal schools, he realised that it would be difficult for them to be treated that way.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 20px;">HM King Bhumibol also said that a prince or princess does not always lead the kind of happy life people have seen in fairy tales. He said the children are still normal human beings.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 20px;">The late King said he had always taught his children that to be a prince and princesses they must learn to develop discernment, to be able to distinguish what is good or bad by themselves.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 20px;">He said discernment is the responsibility of the prince and princesses. They must be able to make the distinction themselves, unlike ordinary citizens who can rely on the law to guide them. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 20px;"><strong>(The video clip is republished with permission from the RTS Archives)</strong></p>