Day 6 – Someone who fascinates you and why

Day 6 – Someone who fascinates you and why

I have what I think is a rather unique answer to this question. Instead of a popular individual (e.g. a Hollywood celebrity), or a religions figure (e.g. the Dali Lama), if I had a chance to sit and talk with someone, I would choose King Bhumibol, the current king of Thailand.

King Bhumibol has been the head of Thailand since 1946, i.e. since before I was born, and at the advanced age of 88 is still the revered leader of Thailand. Pictures of him dominate most of the major intersections in central Thailand and it is a crime to speak unkindly about him.

If I had an opportunity to just sit down and talk with him for an extended period, I would want to know how he has continued to maintain his composure for so long. He is not a political figure in that he does not “rule” over his people, he does not make laws, etc. Even throughout all the recent turmoil in the country and the ousting of several individuals, he stays above the fray.

When he appears in public, he is always very neatly, but elaborately, dressed in white and gold (the color of his birth month is yellow, the reason for that being the dominant color in Thailand). He is very much loved by everyone. For several years now he has been in very poor health. And when he finally passes on, there will be a sense of great loss, especially as his son and heir (who is already in his early 60’s) is not viewed in the same way.

I think he would be a fascinating person to talk to – with his view of world history as a leader of a country for such a long period.