Popular book on HM King bhumibol

It moved to a second printing not long after it went on sale. It was simply one of the best books to come out in a decade. This great book was the outcome of hard work by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand (FCCT). It is amazing to read all kinds of views and perspectives from foreign journalists around the world.

The FCCT editorial staff read through hundreds of articles written by foreign journalists since 1947. It took them three years to complete and required worldwide searches of libraries, embassies, national archives, media organisations files and the Internet.

They selected 167 wire service, newspaper and magazine stories from 56 media organisations. The published pieces range from short, spot news items to analyses and features. All the formal interviews His Majesty the King gave to the foreign press were also published.

According to Denis Gray, editor in chief, the book is intended as a meaningful record of HM the King and his times rather than merely a laudatory exercise. If the thrust of the book is positive, that is the reflection of the bulk of journalistic coverage about him.

"The fact is that His Majesty King Bhumibol has consistently enjoyed

the kind of press most world leaders

can only command in their daydreams."

Bangkokian has read the book many times and obviously liked it very much. It demonstrates the goodwill of the person involved in putting out this monumental book. There are at least two dozen names listed at the end of the book as persons who have provided valuable assistance in compiling the book. One of them is Jonathan Head, the BBC's bureau chief here in Bangkok.

At the end of May, a police officer accused him of lese majeste. Bangkokian was completely perplexed by the charge.

Due to the controversy surrounded former Prime Minister's Office Minister, Jakrapob Penkair, Head was accused of collaborating with Jakrapob simply because he was the moderator at the forum. Rightly so, BBC Asia Bureau Editor, Paul Danahar has said succinctly that the charge that Head defamed

HM the King was "completely unfounded".

It is interesting to note that the charge was filed by a police lieutenant colonel acting in a personal capacity. The evidence the officer used against Head was his previous articles from the BBC website, which contained reports from Thailand. Some of the material was not even written by Head.

Bangkokian is confident that Head, given his integrity and professionalism, will overcome all odds. After all, the above-mentioned book should provide good evidence of the FCCT's record and attitude when it comes to Thai Royalty.