Published on December 05, 2005

His Majesty says fair criticism can be healthy and useful, and that good leaders should be tolerant of their critics; his words come at a time of much political posturing over lese majeste laws. His Majesty the King’s eagerly-awaited address to the nation this year was delivered at a time when the Thaksin administration is grappling with political turmoil brought on by growing public discontent with his perceived misrule and arrogance of power.

But this mundane power struggle between the government and anti-Thaksin activists had to give way to public celebration to mark the auspicious occasion of the King’s 78th birthday today and the 60th anniversary of his accession to the throne next year.

Adoring subjects could not have been more proud of their monarch, who delivered his annual speech on the eve of his birthday with an inimitable blend of impassioned sincerity, sage advice and rare sense of humour.

The King’s genuine fondness for his loyal subjects and his heartfelt concern for the well-being of ordinary people were evident in his speech, which was given in informal, conversational layman’s language.

The royal speech contrasted sharply with the formal eulogy

ceremoniously uttered earlier by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

As in previous years, the public listened intently to the King’s deceptively simple speech, which in essence is his assessment of the state of the Kingdom. In a way, interpretation of the monarch’s speech has become a national past-time keenly anticipated and participated in by people from all walks of life.

This year, the raucous political wrangling over the King’s constitutional powers has not escaped the King’s attention. Sadly, both sides of the political struggle have resorted to undignified political posturing by taking advantage of the monarch’s unique constitutional status as a head of state above politics.

Amid public confusion, the monarch came through in his

speech with penetrating insight that cut through the prevailing political ambiguity. In other words, the King hit the nail on its head.

He proved his deep knowledge of his constitutional role and responsibility as the head of state and his duty toward his subjects. The King’s speech last night focused on good leadership and the importance of tolerance toward just criticisms.

Expressing his personal views on the lese majeste law, which he described as a little too strict, the monarch said he was anxious to find out about any criticism that may be directed at him. Because fair criticisms could be healthy as it would help him make an accurate assessment of his service to the Thai people.

He said a lack of freedom to make fair criticism reflected unfavourably on the people and the country.

The King, in his own subtle way, reminded the Thai people, including prime minister who was among the audience at the royal palace yesterday evening, that leaders must not be too sensitive to criticisms because the ability to handle just criticism is the hallmark of good leadership.

The lesson on leadership given by the monarch could not have been lost on anyone. Let’s hope that Thai people and their political leaders become wiser by this sage advice from their beloved monarch.

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