http://www.bangkokpost.

com/opinion/opinion/269031/long-live-the-king
POST BAG
Long Live tbe King
O ubllshed 3/12/2011 aL 1200 AM
O -ewspaper secLlon -ews
As a part-time resident oI the kingdom Ior the last 20 years, I wish to express my best wishes and
deepest appreciation Ior His Majesty's wise and devoted leadership, on the occasion oI the King's
84th birthday.
Each year my aIIection and appreciation Ior his leadership and example Ior the people oI
Thailand has grown. He has been like a shining lighthouse on a hill, guiding the ship oI state
through treacherous and oIten dangerous waters. At times, his advice has prevented potential
disaster and, at times, his silence has allowed the government to correct situations oI which they
were able.
His Majesty has led by example, and the kingdom has prospered immensely by his leadership in
so many areas. His Majesty's untiring devotion to the people oI Thailand has improved the
quality and well-being oI their lives.
He is known as healer oI the sick, Iather oI the orphans, beneIactor to the poor, and a stabilising
and uniIying Iorce during the times that the government was deeply divided. Through his
leadership, he led in the vast improvement oI the educational system. He has pioneered in
developing areas plagued by drought, and personally visited rural areas with problems oI poverty
that only his wisdom could solve. He has brought decades oI stability to this great nation. And he
has demonstrated humility, compassion and a leadership that has eased periods oI great distress.
I remember that on one occasion His Majesty remarked that he missed the counsel oI his late
mother. But I am conIident that a greater counsel, that oI the Almighty, has aIIorded His Majesty
the wisdom that led myselI and countless others to conclude that he is the greatest monarch oI
modern times.
I join others oI all Iaiths in oIIering prayers Ior the daily strength oI our monarch. On this
auspicious occasion, along with all the other loyal citizens and expats oI this great nation, we
give a thunderous voice to the age-old words, ''Long Live the King.''
DR 1OHANNES MAAS
International President, Worldwide Faith Missions, USA

hLLp//wwwbangkokposLcom/prlnL/269139/

ETTER CAPTURED NATIONA SPIRIT
I wish to thank Dr Johannes Maas Ior his very well written letter ''Long Live the King'' in
yesterday's PostBag. What he wrote represented all the thoughts and Ieelings many oI us have
Ior His Majesty the King, but no one could express them like Dr Maas. It's wonderIul to know
that many expats living here share our love, respect, loyalty and best wishes Ior his good health
and happiness.
I totally agree with his observation that HM the King is the greatest monarch in the world and
that we are so Iortunate to be in this Kingdom.
ong ive the King.
RT Suwan
Bangkok