JEDDAH — Thai Consul General Thanis Na Songkhal hosted a reception on the occasions of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s birthday anniversary, the National Day & the National Father’s Day of Thailand at his residence here.

ASEAN consuls general and diplomats, as well as friends of Thailand in Jeddah and Thai community in western region joined with the host in this commemoration.

Na Songkhla thanked all guests most sincerely for joining in the celebration. “Today is very important for Thais, both in Thailand and overseas, as it is not only the National Day of Thailand, but we have gathered here to commemorate the birth anniversary of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, that’s also marked as the National Father’s Day of Thailand.”

“The late King Bhumibol, who had been on the throne for 70 years, was loved and revered by the people of Thailand and respected around the world. Throughout seven decades, the King’s consistent involvement with the public had become deeply ingrained in the Thai ways of life and the Thai public at large. The Thai people showed admiration and profound respect to him, not simply because of the symbolic eminence of his kingship, but they truly respected his amicable qualities of humbleness and genuine concern for the livelihood and well-being of his subjects of all race and religion within the kingdom.

“He had spent his life working for the benefit of his people, who were all his ‘children’. The close relationship between him and his subjects truly reflected the family tradition in Thai society. Everywhere he went throughout Thailand, people gathered to see him. Since he is recognized as the “Father of the Thai Nation,” he said.

The late King devoted his energy in countless royal projects and initiatives, which stressed on building strong social foundations to ensure sustainability in key areas of development ranging from education, public health, irrigation, farming, crop substitution, flood alleviation and the ‘Royal Rain Project’ for drought affected regions, he added.

“King Bhumibol’s commitment to sustainable development and national resilience helped move the country through its various development phases and towards becoming a vibrant economy,” the diplomat said.

“Acknowledging that Thailand is still an agricultural-based economy where majority of the people at grass roots level are still dependent on subsidiary farming, the late King introduced the concept of “sufficiency economy,” a universal principle based on practicing moderation, stressing the qualities of modesty and humbleness, which could be applied in all areas of life,” he said, adding, “He recognized that economic prosperity alone cannot sustain development, for their minds need to learn to be self-sufficient, as well. Such philosophy translated into the various royal development initiatives and projects which the King became known for.”

In recognition of his work, King Bhumibol was awarded the first United Nations Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. The day, Dec. 5, each year not only marks one of the most significant day for all Thai people, but it is also a highly important day when the global community celebrate “the World Soil Day” as declared by the United Nations General Assembly.

The purpose of the World Soil Day is to promote and raise awareness of the importance of soil as an entity towards agriculture development, nutrition and food security at the national and international level to address the challenges of rising pace in population growth.

“For Thailand, we recall with deepest gratitude the tireless personal commitment of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej to the cause of soil, not only for Thailand but also for the international community,” Na Songkhla said.

“On this auspicious occasion, and on behalf of the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Jeddah and Thai community in western region, I humbly offer my best wishes to King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun of Thailand Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman for their health and longevity,” Na Songkhla said. — SG