MAY 11 THAILAND HAS A NEW KING

MAY 11  THAILAND HAS A NEW KING

While most of the world's tabloids were firmly focused on the birth of Prince Archie in London on Tuesday, there was another event in the field of international royalty this week: A new king was crowned in Bangkok. Maha Vajralongkorn...thankfully also known Rama X...is a regent no longer. It's been a long wait. His father was a beloved monarch who ruled for seventy years so a very long period of mourning was needed. We're talking thirty months of mourning!

What makes the Thai Royal House so fascinating is their semi-divine status. A thousand years ago, the world was ruled by kings who descended from above. One by one, over the next thousand years, they have been replaced by more earthly rulers. Sometimes, like in Paris, St. Petersburg or Peking, the transition is violent and the king, czar and emperor is executed. Other monarchs have been luckier. They are stripped of their holy status but remain ceremonial heads of state. This is the case in London, Madrid and Tokyo. Yet only one major nation still has a monarch who rules from a Mandate From Heaven: Thailand.

To clarify: In 1932, the nation changed its name from the Kingdom of Siam to The Republic of Thailand and officially became a Constitutional Monarchy. However, a government proclamation doesn't change a millennium of devotion. While the rest of Asia was colonized by Europe, proud Siam remained independent. "I love and respect the monarchy," explained spectator Sujitra Bokularb. "Since I was young, I have seen the wonders the king has done for us." The current royal house dates back to 1782 when Rama the First was crowned. Most Westerners know his great-grandson Rama IV. He was the King in the musical The King And I. W

Okay...most of you probably don't know Rogers & Hammerstein...so here's a quick recap. The sacred Thai king is portrayed as arrogant, superficial and surrounded by lavish extravagance. Until he falls in love. (It's a musical, after all!) Since it is punishable by death to slander the monarchy, the movie version of The King And I is still banned in Thailand. Sadly, as the standards of living continue to plunge in the once-wealthy Asian jewel, people should be able to voice concern about better wealth distribution.

Yet none of this matters this week! We've got a new king! The Wat Pho (Royal March) is a reward to the people for their unwilling devotion. On display was some of the most opulent items ever. Let's start with the seven-tiered umbrella. It boasts four feet of fine white silk trimmed in gold. Also gold is the Sword of Victory, encrusted with diamonds and rubies. Likewise, the Royal Fan is also gold. We like the Royal Fly-Whisk made from white elephant hair. Yet the best example of the over-the-top wealth of the Thai King must be the Royal Slippers. Red velvet on the inside, diamonds on the outside and soles made of pure gold. Don't worry! Thai Kings don't walk. His royal carriage is carried by 16 soldiers the entire four miles of the parade.