2017-10-28

The king will return

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

by Neil Godfrey

Thailand’s twelve month long period of mourning for King Bhumipol is now drawing to a close with spectacular cremation and exaltation-to-heaven ceremonies. One interesting detail one hears talking with Thais — a detail I have not seen in any news media report — is a rumour (“some say”, is how it is introduced) that the greatly loved king will return. Why? Because, the rumour has it, his work was not completed. He cannot come back as Rama XI (another has beaten him to that position) but he will return when born as Rama XII.

This rumour that one sometimes hears from face to face conversations with mourners may be inspired, I wonder, by a certain anxiety over the future.

Humans — the same today as they have always been, it seems. Returns, resurrections, reincarnations, messianic and millennial expectations. . . .

Image from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/26/thai-king-funeral-crowds-gather-to-farewell-father-of-the-nation

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3 thoughts on “The king will return”

Neil Godfrey says:

2017-10-28 03:58:12 GMT+0000 at 03:58

I have close associations with a number of Thais and therefore must monitor comments carefully. Keep in mind the strict lese-majesty laws.

Reply
1. Tige Gibson says:
  
  2017-10-28 05:44:47 GMT+0000 at 05:44
  
  Likewise, if you find yourself in Pakistan don’t tear any movie posters.
  
  Reply
Bob Jase says:

2017-10-29 15:35:33 GMT+0000 at 15:35

Oh, if they need a returned king they’ve find one – some baby from a family either powerful or manipulatable.

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