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Thailand has a very much loved Monarch in King Bhumibol
Adulyadej (affectionately call as "Nai Luang" or "Chao Yu Hua"
by Thai folks or referred as RAMA IX by foreigners as the Ninth Reign successor
of the Chakri dynasty
which began ruling of Thailand back in 1782 during the Ratthanakosin era.
Born in 5th December, 1927 and at current age approx. 80 years old, His Majesty King
of Thailand had his Coronation held back in 6th May, 1950 and is the cuurent world's
longest-serving monarch in the world. However, not many people would know the King
was actually born in Massachusetts, US and educated primarily in Switzerland. The
King has implemented many Royally-initiated projects to look after the poor and underdeveloped
remote regions in Thailand over the last few decades. He even had gave up living
in luxuriously decorated Royal Palace and converted converted royal garden in the
premises as a agricultural research centre. One known favorite residence of His Majesty
was a simple 2 storeyed beach front wooden pavilion, Maruekatayawan Palace which is located in a small seaside town of Hua Hin. During recent years, due to old age related issues, the King is spending
most of this time there.
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| Trust me, you can ignore whatever slightest negative
remarks western media had on the King, His Majesty is immensely popular and hugely
respected figure in the Buddhist dominated Kingdom to an extend that, he is revered
as a semi-divine figure by the people of Thailand. On the other hand, the Thai King
is also an accomplished musician, artist, as well as long known to be a keen photographer.
Whether he is at field work supervising rural development projects or damage control
on any sudden occurring natural disaster and/or travels, he always has a camera with
him, recording places, events and happenings within his Kingdom for personal interest
and/or as official project references. |
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King Bhumibol ascended to the throne following the death
of his brother, King Ananda Mahidol, on 9 June 1946 (but Official Coronation was
held later at 6th May, 1950). In 1996, it marked as the 50th anniversary of his coronation.
Although the more recent Diamond Jubilee 60th Anniversary was more publicized ; the
special occasion back in 1996 was equally memorable (as Internet was not as popular
at that stage, sad to read not too many information was recorded via the medium).
The Thai probably understood well with interest of the King, one of the many events
held by the Thai public for their beloved King was a special edition of a LEICA M6
with a gold outfit.
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Thailand is just next to Malaysia. I have been to this
Buddhist Kingdom numerous times over the last 30 years and was quite well verse with
this Nation with strong, proud in raw oriental culture and custom. It was absolutely
wrong perception to relate King Bhumibol himself had ordered the make of a special
edition of LEICA as part of celebration held back in 1996. In many ways, photography
has a very huge following among Thai public, in fact the Royal Photographic Society
of Thailand (RPST) has the
King as Royal patronage. In 1997, Thailand, along with many other Asian Nations had
experienced the worst financial crises ever due to excessive foreign debt exposure;
I was given a news clip of the mentioned edition during that period but had not took
notice of the details. All I can recall was the issued of a Limited Edition of 700
units gold plated finishing LEICA M6 which came with a matching SUMMICRON-M 1:2/50mm
also in gold plated finish and they were being auctioned in a community welfare fund
raising dinner held and has the The King as patronage. I remembered it has three
categories but not sure if there were three separate configured editions or the same
edition auctioned out and/or auctioned via by special Serial Number appeared in the
series. (I have written to RPST as well as Bangkok Post editorial section had asked
for assistance, awaiting for a reply).
NOTE: 1996 was the 50th Anniversary Golden
Jubilee Year; the more recent and well publicized event in 2006 was the Diamond Jubilee
year in commemoration of 60th year of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in succession to the
throne as RAMA IX of the Chakri Dynasty. A good reference to the 2006 event was recorded
via Bangkok Post dedicated section for this special Royal occasion. Off the record,
I also had developed a personal Thai Buddhist Amulet site.
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previous | Next | 1/3
A little information in regards
to the King's interest in photography
Part One | Part Two
| Part Three
Relative: Leica
M6
Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Silver Jubilee Gold/Platinum
Edition, 1992
Leica M6 Sultan of Brunei Darussalam 50th Birthday Edition(s), 1995
Relative: Gold cameras (SLRs) outfit
Leica
M3 Gold, 1957 |
Leica M4-2 Gold | Nikon F Gold outfit | Canon F1 GOLD
| Nikon F2 GOLD
| Nikon FM GOLD
| Nikon
FA Limited Edition
GOLD
Pentax LX Limited Edition GOLD | Olympus OM2N Limited Edition GOLD
| for others please refer
to the Main Index Page
Main Index Page
- Leica M6-series models / Main Index Page - Leica-M Rangefinder
camera Models
Nomenclature / Main Reference Map for Leica M6 Standard Model(s) applicable to this M6 Gold Edition | Others:-
Leica
M6 TTL Model(s)
Instruction Manuals:- Leica M6 Classic in PDF (3.8mb) applicable to this Gold Edition by Niels H. S. Nielsen; Others:- Leica M6 TTL 3.6 Mb PDF) by Joe Chan
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