From our reporter in Bangkok: the Golden Jubilee Ceremony

This is a sunny sunday June 9th in Bangkok when, at dawn, hundred thousands supporters of Siamese monarchy coming from all Thailand are getting ready to face the furnace of the Golden Jubilee Ceremony, on the huge Sanam Luang Square located in downtown Bangkok. All the eyes stare on the Royal Pagoda specially erected for the ceremony. Made of precious wood, and decorated with gold and silk, this is where in a few minutes His Majesty the King Rama IX will sit on the Royal Throne to face his people.

Escaping the seculed - thought exclusive - press pavillon, we are many journalists who prefer to mix-up with the common people, much warmer and excited by this special event than the sober executives from the Department of Protocole; nobody can avoid their solemn authority...including the king...

Back the multitude, we cheer the arrival of the king in his yellow Rolls Royce Corniche, followed by the other royal, princely and ministerial limousines. The Sultan of Brunei joined the numerous top -VIPs who came from all over the world to be part of it.

One should be native from Asia to understand the subtility of the ceremony, mixture of a global devotion to the Nation and of a Buddhist mass adjusted like a show. After paying regards to the monks, then offering each of them a mysterious gift in a colourful parcel (Asian people don't open presents in public... and sometimes don't open them at all !), His Majesty reaches the throne, made of gold and red velvet (looking like designed by Claude Dalle for Romeo...). Straight and dignified in his white uniform covered by a cloak trimmed with passementeries made of pure gold, equiped with the Royal sword. He is surrounded by His family. The latter - suchin the protocole - will standup during the all - and long ... - ceremony.

For all of us, aliens, this is an endless and quite musical praise pronouced by the members of the Royal Family, followed by the "pillars" of the nation: the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary corps and institutions. Last but not least, His Majesty Rama IX returns His own thanks and gratitude to His supporters, cheered by loud and warm "-long live the King !". coming from the people of Thailand to reach, like a wave, the VIPs tribunes and pavillons like the echo of fraternity between the rich and the poor, the excecutives and the executors.

We didn't understand the speeches; but we realized their positive and concrete consequences. Of course , the differences still remains in the material symbols. When the ones leave Sanam Luang in the back leather seat of the lattest Mercedes (here they say: "Benz"). 500 or 600 V6 Turbo, thinking about the next celebration, tomorrow, when the Prime Minister will organize a wonderful and costy dinner in his residence. Just for the happy fews !

When the others take, by foot, the direction of cheap open-air restaurants to have chicken and fried rice for one dollar or less. But for everybody the protection between Hearth and Heaven is still the same: His Majesty the King !

Gilles MALAISE