The Bhutanese Leading the way.
In 2006, His Majesty The King, then as a Crown Prince, visited Thailand to inaugurate the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek exposition in Chiang Mai commemorating the 60th Birth anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
In a simple but thoughtful gesture the Crown Prince gave a bow of respect to the revered Thai Monarch and that simple gesture heightened the popularity of His Majesty and gave rise to the endearing term ‘King Jigme’ used by everyone since from taxi drivers at the airport to ordinary Thais.
A Bhutanese merely need state he or she is from Bhutan and a smile will come on the taxi driver’s face and a thumb will go up saying ‘King Jigme, good.’
In a gesture of great honor and significance for Bhutan Their Majesties The King and Queen of Thailand chose to make their first state visit abroad to Bhutan.
Paro airport is considered a difficult airport to navigate and land on, even for seasoned pilots.
However, in what is a deeply personal touch Their Majesties The King and Queen of Thailand personally flew in their airplane into the Paro airport.
In yet another gesture not only did His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen come to the airport breaking Royal Protocol, but Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen bent down and straightened the red carpet before the arrival of Their Majesties The King and Queen of Thailand.
When one compares the size, economy and population of the two countries there is not much to compare, however, this is a relationship driven and forged by the two Monarchies who got closer due to simple and genuine gestures of respect and love.
The two countries also share remarkable similarities in the historically important role played by their Monarchs in not only securing the sovereignty of the two countries but also development and modernization.
When one takes a closer look there are a lot more similarities and mutual respect that binds the Royal Families and people of the two nations.
“Friends are the family you choose.” – Jess C. Scott