I was in class this morning, 1/11, when Pi-ow came in and informed me that I must get the students organized and lined up in the hallways for "the singing to the King". All students in every building lined up in the hallway, facing the flag and sang to the King of Thailand for about 10 minutes, a very sentimental and sweet moment.
After class, Pi-Nuy told me that today is a very special day; it is 9/9/09. "9" is "gaew" in Thai, which also means "progress". Due to the many problems Thailand has been having over the last couple of years (especially regarding the prime minister), the Thai government decided to make note of today, and what it means for Thailand's future. They organized the ENTIRE COUNTRY to sing to the King at exactly 9:09 AM. WOW!!! Every single person sang to the King at 9:09 on 9/9/09.
In addition to "Progress" and Thailand's future, Pi-Nuy also stressed that the King is very sick. He is well into his 80s and if you don't know, he is the longest reigning and living King in the world, at this moment. She described her emotions while singing at 9:09 as "very sad because we Thai people don't know what we are going to do after the King dies. We are unsure of what will happen to Thailand. I, we, just can't imagine Thailand without our King."
Acknowledging the past and thinking forward, progress, service to King and country, prayer, song and UNITY... This is Thailand.
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