To him, the army emphasised unity; politicians were too divisive. Nor were greedy capitalists much favoured, even though the palace, and the elites who circled it, made billions as Thailand grew rich. When Asian markets tumbled in the late 1990s, Bhumibol urged his subjects to favour moderation over wealth. That was sincere, but also self-interested—it praised the quiet virtue of staying in one’s place and doing one’s duty, as he did, adhering solemnly and even joylessly to the dharma or teachings of the Buddha. He even declared that he ate unmilled rice like the poorest peasant, because he too was poor.