1. “In old age, HOPE for your heeds.”
– The picture of His Majesty the King assisting the Princess Mother by her side is one of the most familiar to the eye of Thai people. While on her journeys throughout the country, despite the presence of royal guards and nurses, he was always at her side providing gentle support while instructing the officials, “She is my mother. Let me help her.”
Prior to the Princess Mother’s passing at the age of 93, His Majesty the King managed to provide his time, apart from numerous missions, in traveling to Sra Pathum Palace nearly every day in order to accompany the Princess Mother for dinner.
For each visit, His Majesty the King greeted the Princess Mother by prostrating himself on her lap, which would be succeeded by her propping him up for a loving embrace and a sweet kiss on his cheek.
The Princess Mother was born a commoner, named Sangwan, and spent her childhood behind Wat Anong like any other girl. In contrast, His Majesty the King was born with the high rank of “Phra Ong Chao” and eventually ascended as King of Thailand. However, the exhibition of overflowing gratefulness to his mother, a commoner, earned him the greatest love a mother could bestow on her son while deeply touching the hearts of all Thai citizens across the nation.