As the fellows and alumni of the Asia Journalism Fellowship gathered in Singapore over the last weekend, many asked about the royal cremation ceremony of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej that will take place in Bangkok on Oct 26.
Sonam Pelden
News Editor, English Editorial, Kuensel Corp, Bhutan
As soon as we heard he had passed away, our king immediately went to Thailand. King (Bhumibol) is very well respected, largely because of all the changes he brought to the people's lives, especially in agriculture.
No matter how politically divided the Thai people might be, the late King was a unifying factor. He brought together all sides of the country. I think that's the role of a king in a democracy.
Nguyen Phuong Thao
Producer, Agricultural TV Channel, Vietnam
In Vietnam we often read nice stories about him, that he gave much help to farmers. When he won their trust and hearts, I think he won over the whole nation.
Huang Xueqin
Special Correspondent for the Southern Metropolis Weekly, Guangzhou, China
In China we had kings for thousands of years. But there came a time when we didn't want a king any more because most of time we thought they were just corrupt and had many wives, rather than doing anything constructive. But the situation in Thailand is different. The people respect their King.
I learned that the Thai people not only loved their late King, but that he loved them back. He got involved in most fields from education and medicine to industry and everything. I felt like, wow, the King of Thailand did quite a good job!
Agnes Lam
Former reporter for the South China Morning Post, Hong Kong
When I first visited Bangkok, I did find it quite strange, as if the King was [considered] a saint in Thailand.
But after learning that he seemed to like travelling around the country, and was keen to learn how ordinary people, especially, farmers, live in the country, I got a clue as to why the people love him so much. It's not easy for someone from such a privileged background to realise it's important to really get in touch with the people, in order to achieve benevolent and caring governance.
Koh Chiew Heong
Senior Reporter with the Sin Chew Daily, Malaysia
My husband respects King Bhumibol so much. Even in my house, we have a family photo of the late Thai King in our living room. My husband said he was a very good man. Whatever he did, he did for poor people from the rural areas. He is very well-respected -- and not only in Thailand.
Narayan Wagle
Principal Writer, Setopati Sanchar, an online newspaper in Nepal
We admire the late Thai King. He did everything for his people.
He decided not to visit other countries, and he kept his promise. He rarely left the Thai borders. We got to see pictures of him visiting farmers and giving his personal thoughts to ordinary people.
Girish Giri
Correspondent for Setopati Sanchar
I believe Thailand has a monarchy that is in tune with the times. The King, who died last year, had very good relations with the people. He was very respected.
Patithin Phetmeuangphuan
Reporter,Vientiane Times, Laos
He went everywhere in Thailand -- rural areas, remote mountains. He tried to solve problems for the people, which is what good leaders should do.
He was a king, certainly, but in other ways he was very humble, almost not like a king. He seemed like a commoner, one of the people. He visited villagers and spoke to them.
One thing that made me feel very proud of him was when I watched a video of him planting rice. He was a very important person -- yet he was still prepared to do that. He believed he was one of the people. He tried to do the best for the Thai people.
Chaitanya Marpakwar
Senior Correspondent, Mumbai Mirror, India
He was a very benevolent king. He was willing to experiment to give democracy a chance. He was the most respected king in Thailand for a very long time.
