[parishilton]

Can you give us a hint?
Is it contained in "The revolutionary King"?

[TainuibeFaimb]

A Farang grants his written permission to the king allowing His Majesty to do something... yes, you read it right!...The question is: who is this Farang, and what did he permit the King of Thailand to do? This was the question.

...I think the farang was asking permission to marry. Read the question again.

I do not know the answer. As for what permission the King sought, my only guesses would be permission to use the rights to a song, or to sit in on a musical performance. I do not have a clue as to who the King sought permission from, but it was probably a jazz musician.

[Jeaxatoem]

Monday is Father's day, the 78th birthday of His Majesty the King of Thailand. Fitting this occasion, I have a quiz for you about a lesser-known, but nonetheless flattering fact from the life of King Rama IX.

The year is 1986, King ÀÙÁÔ¾ÅÍ´ØÅÂà´ª is the revered monarch of Thailand. A Farang grants his written permission to the king allowing His Majesty to do something... yes, you read it right!

The question is: who is this Farang, and what did he permit the King of Thailand to do? To make it easier, a few hints: this Farang has no significant political or financial power, pretty much like the rest of us.

Answers will come next week, if needed - but I hope you will give them sooner!

May Thailand be blessed with many more years of guiding light from His Majesty.

[dittygari]

I know the one of the King's daughters married an American, I think the farang was asking permission to marry.
I would have to do some research on when this happened, as I thought this happened in the 70's
Am I write in saying this couple is now separated or divorced, maybe it is to get permission to divorce.

[Jeaxatoem]

Guys, you are getting close - very close!

Jerome, I'm not sure whether the Revolutionary King mentions this event (it should). Nevertheless, that book connects the event in question in another, more significant way...

Visionchaser, your guess is very close! The concept is right - applying it to something other than music will give the answer.

I'm going to Bangkok for a couple days; I will post again around the end of the week. Happy fact-hunting!

[parishilton]

OOOH, I was saving that book to read on the beaches of Phuket and Krabi next month.
I don't want to break it out here in the miserably cold (and unseasonally early) Japanese winter.

[Fertionbratte]

Interesting quiz Siamjai! Have to admit you've got me beaten with it, but I found this via Google

In 1986, a group of American experts and rainmaking officials were granted an audience with His Majesty the King at Daksin Palace in Narathiwat Province. His Majesty stressed the importance of rainmaking development as part of the country's water resource management. Impressed by His Majesty's initiative, the experts came up with the Applied Atmospheric Resources Research Program in a joint cooperative effort between the governments of Thailand and the United States from 1988 to 1999. An essential part of the program was the transfer of US technology to the royal rainmaking operations. I guess if US technology was being transferred to the royal household, he would have to have requested that ? Am I on the right lines ??

[Jeaxatoem]

That's an interesting find, Mike, and perhaps there was a permission transfer there as well. You are along the right lines, in that he brought the knowledge of the West for the benefit of all Thai people, in both cases.

So far, music and the rainmaking invention were brought up here. His Majesty is a man of many talents and much knowledge - one couldn't pin down just one area where he excels!

The number of possibilities will be narrowed down a bit, if we remind ourselves that His Majesty has astounding knowledge of the West, especially of their history and language. He uses this knowledge to enhance Thai education…

[tretcheenia]

Hmm, tough one, SiamJai, as you say,His Majesty excels in many fields. My guess is it is the right to translate/use a book for Thai schools.

[tretcheenia]

"The world could be a better place if other nations had rulers like His Majesty."
He certainly could teach the British Royal Family a lot about duty, behavior and relationships with their subjects !!
Interesting story, SiamJai, I also was not aware of Stevenson's generosity. I am also rather intrigued as to why His Majesty chose this book over others by the same author.

[Jeaxatoem]

Congratulations Khun Don, your guess hit the nail right on the head! And today, as I promised, I will give the answers.

William Stevenson may be a name familiar to those reading Thailand literature. He is the author of The Revolutionary King, a behind-the-scenes book about the current monarch of Thailand. What fewer people know is that he also wrote a book about his namesake, Sir William Stevenson, who played a key role in World War II as the director of British Secret Service operations. This book is titled A Man Called Intrepid.

His Majesty must have come across this book, and apparently deemed it to be worthy for enhancing the knowledge of Thais. What impressed me most is that he took upon himself to translate the book. He must have an excellent command of the English language, surpassing that of many native speakers! It also shows that he is truly devoted to the betterment of the Thai nation.

Preceeding this, the author, Stevenson, granted his permission in a legal document to His Majesty to translate and publish his work. (You can read a copy of this document right below my post.) After the translation was done, the book was published and distributed to schools all over Thailand, free of charge.

Reading the document, I was also quite impressed about Stevenson. The Revolutionary King indicates that he had direct access to the Royal Court, and the generosity concerning his preceeding work shows that he truly cares about Thailand as well. That makes sense: he couldn't have the former without the latter. And to think that his service to Thailand was returned by banning his other book from the country! More than ironic, I should say.

So how do I know about all this? I came across this book on the CMU Book Fair. I bought it, and saw this document in the front. A picture of the cover of this book is also attached.

There are many stories about the several ways His Majesty improves Thailand. This is one that impressed me the most, and thus I'm glad to share it with you. The world could be a better place if other nations had rulers like His Majesty.