Special edition to honour HM the King

The magazine will produce 1 million free copies of the special issue for distribution throughout Asia and Europe.

"We believe His Majesty's achievements and his dedication throughout his life will be an inspiration to our readers. This is our motivation," said Declan Moore [above], vice president of international publishing for National Geographic Television International (NGTI).

NGTI was established in 1988 with a mission to inspire people to care about the environment and important global important issues. National Geographic circulates 6.1 million copies each month with a worldwide readership of 36 million.

Moore said His Majesty was a philosopher, artist, musician and composer, photographer, writer, sportsman and craftsman. He is widely known as one of the world's hardest-working monarchs, he added.

He visits remote areas of the Kingdom to hear the problems of subjects and attempts to improve their livelihoods through royal projects, he said.

The special issue will include a biography and details of His Majesty's projects.

Moore expected the issue to appeal to "sophisticated and influential" world travellers.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is a sponsor and Thai Airways International is expected to announce its participation soon. National Geographic expects to generate Bt120 million from advertising in the issue.

The special issue will be promoted on the National Geographic website that receives 76 million clicks from almost nine million visitors each month.

Nitida Asawanipont

The Nation