In a 1970 address to librarians nationwide, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej compared books to knowledge banks, "a collection of everything mankind has built, done and invented since ancient times". His remark thus highlighted the importance of these everyday objects in the human experience.
While the late monarch is known for his contribution to several arts and has exhibited talents for photography, painting and music, his literary skills are not to be overlooked.
Fortunately, King Bhumibol's compositions are to be at the centre of an exhibition held by the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand, with the support of the Culture Ministry. The exhibition, opening tomorrow, will be part of the 22nd Book Expo Thailand to take place at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center from today until Oct 29.
The fair traditionally takes place during October. This year, it coincides with the royal cremation ceremony for King Bhumibol.
"Therefore, we sought to pay tribute to King Bhumibol's literary works and efforts to promote education and literacy through our show," says Suchada Sahasakul, head of the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand.
The exhibition, titled "Memories", is divided into seven chapters, each corresponding to a decade in King Bhumibol's reign. For each decade, works penned by King Bhumibol will be highlighted and displayed along with newspaper and magazine clippings that explain the historical events that shaped Thailand, as well as developments on the global stage.
This incredible amount of archival work and research couldn't have been done without the support of newspaper archives, publishing houses and private collectors of ancient and rare books, Suchada adds.
Walking us through the first chapter of the exhibition, starting in 1946 when King Bhumibol ascended to the throne following his elder brother's death, Suchada remarks on the feat that is the king's writing.
"It's quite amazing that a monarch who was raised overseas from a young age could write Thai so well," she says.
In the year following his accension to the throne, King Bhumibol published Mua Khapachao Chak Siam Soo Switzerland (When I Depart Siam For Switzerland), a diary-like series of articles chronicling his early days as king. The text first appeared in the August 1947 edition of Wong Wannakhadee (Literary Circle), a now-defunct literary publication.
According to Suchada, the events that prompted King Bhumibol to compose this particular text also shaped his reign in many ways, in that the purported diary allowed readers to catch an exceptional glimpse of his psyche.
In the summer of 1946, the young King Rama IX visited Thailand but had to return to Switzerland shortly thereafter to complete his studies. A mere few days before his return, as he journeyed in Bangkok in his vehicle, he saw through the windows the crowds massed to catch sight of their monarch.
As he was on his way to Don Mueang airport to catch his flight, he heard a man shout on Ratchadamnoen Avenue: "Don't leave the people!"
This cry had a remarkable effect on King Bhumibol, as he wrote in his first composition: "If the people didn't leave me, how could I leave them?" It's a phrase that remains a moving declaration to his citizens.
While the exhibition's introductory chapter features a text written by King Bhumibol, accounts of his visionary thinking and products of his stratagems to further develop the country appear in the next two sections.
During his second decade as a monarch, King Bhumibol travelled to 25 countries in Asia, Europe and the Americas to strengthen diplomatic ties during the Cold War.
His numerous visits are related to us through newspaper and magazine clippings, on show at the exhibition, that highlight how the king charmed foreign heads of state, dignitaries and populations -- despite the antimonarchical sentiments that spread worldwide along with communist ideologies.
In the United States, he visited his birth place and first physician, capturing the hearts of the American population. He also looked on his travels as an opportunity to learn from other countries on how to further develop his own.
In his reign's third decade, he dedicated himself to getting to know his country and countrymen better and learn what hardships they were facing. He commissioned the first set of the Encyclopedia Project For Youth to be created, fearing that children in remote rural areas had less access and opportunities to education than the city kids, an initiative that still exists.
The 1960s and 70s are also narrated through media clippings, as the country was divided by conflicting political ideologies.
King Bhumibol had to intervene in the Oct 14, 1973, and Oct 6, 1976, events to prevent his countrymen from infighting, Suchada adds. From then onward, the monarch returned to his books and writing, penning translations of works he admired, such as Tito and Nai-In Phoo Pid Thong Lang Phra, (the latter adapted from A Man Called Intrepid by Canadian author William Stevenson).
With Tito, a translation of the biography of the book's namesake written by Phyllis Auty and published by Amarin Printing in 1994, King Bhumibol hoped that the Thai population would share his interest in world affairs.
The book is an account of Marshal Tito's life, who united the people of Yugoslavia and became its first president. King Bhumibol also named his cat after the statesman he admired.
With Nai-In Phoo Pid Thong Lang Phra (from a Thai phrase referring to people who do not boast about their good deeds), King Bhumibol sought to teach his subjects a lesson in modesty, Suchada argues. It narrates the story of intelligence officer Sir William S. Stephenson, adapted into Nai-In in the Thai version.
Being a spy, Nai-In must keep his work secret and cannot claim his achievements and successes.
"Perhaps King Bhumibol wished to tell us that we must do good for the sake of goodness, rather than expecting fame and glory," the exhibition's organiser says.
As the Tom Yum Kung financial crisis hit Thai markets in 1997, the sufficiency-economy philosophy devised by King Bhumibol gained momentum. The 1974 speech in which he introduced his theory is exhibited alongside other news articles on the economic crisis.
Around the same time, The Story Of Mahajanaka was published. This was a tale about a prince whose ship sinks and who must face many challenges and hardships, all of which he surmounts thanks to his unflinching perseverance.
Most Thais are now familiar with the figure of Khun Thongdaeng, King Bhumibol's beloved dog about whom he penned a book, published in 2002. Khun Thongdaeng, originally a dog, was rescued and adopted by King Bhumibol.
Whereas many seek pedigree pets as their companions, King Bhumibol tells the story of a common dog with an uncommon destiny. Hailed as a success, a comic book version of the story later came out, as well as films and cartoon adaptations.
Each of King Bhumibol's books teaches a valuable lesson, whether it be through Nai-In's selflessness or Phra Mahajanaka's resilience.
Why did King Bhumibol choose to communicate these teachings through books rather than relying solely on spoken addresses? Perhaps it is because books are objects that endure through the decades, passed from generation to generation, as this exhibition demonstrates.
"King Bhumibol wasn't just a writer. He was first and foremost a reader," says Suchada.
Indeed, King Bhumibol was known for his love of art books, which he purchased by the dozen while in Europe, as well as for being an avid learner.
"Whatever he knew, he learned it from books. Before building his first sailing boat, he read about the techniques and could therefore experiment with them."
In this way, he is an example for all Thais, Suchada argues. "His Majesty King Bhumibol would learn and act upon it."
The 22nd National Book Fair runs from today until Oct 29 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center every day from 10am to 9pm.
