You see him everywhere in golden frames! I do mean everywhere : every single restaurant or store has a picture of him, not to mention the billboards around town. Most Thais are fanatic royalists, and you risk offense if you speak of the King without due respect. Unlike some of his predecessors, who murdered their way to the throne, King Bhumibol seems to deserve adulation. According to a book I read, "He is an attractive, high-profile figure, who spends a lot of time helicoptering around the remote regions of the kingdom, setting up the Royal Projects one encounters everywhere: irrigation projects, hydro-electric schemes, schoolhouses, medical centers, temple restoration, road construction, etc." He seems to be a blend of tradition and modernity, and the people love him! His face is shown on every single paper bill and coin.
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