How kings and queens market their dynasties throughout the ages - Thailand: A Case Study
Kings and queens have ruled their nations for hundreds of years through modern marketing and advertising principles. In Thailand the King Bhumibol Adulyadej and some woman (who may or may not be the queen - I’m not going to spend the time researching them) plaster Bangkok and Thailand’s country side with their images. In the video above you can see how King Bhumibol plasters his face in the airport over every overhand so all travelers have to see his mug. 80% of the Thai population know who they are, but don’t know wtf they do - they are considered the “rulers” or “leaders” of the country.
Most people in the world can’t imagine what it would be like to be the King/Queen of a country with 60 million inhabitants. If the population of Thailand is taxed at around 10% the annual revenue of the Thai Government must be around ($1.2 Billion = $2K (average annual income)*60million people *.10) I don’t think the Thai King gets all of that revenue, but I’m sure he has a hand in administering it. Additionally, the Thai king owns a massive amount of realestate, national treasures, and probably has a few billion dollars, not to mention the prestige and power of being The King. The Thai King is probably no way near as rich as some European royalty. Regardless, the Thai king is excellent at owning the “position” of king/ruler in the Thai people’s mind. I believe that the Thai king lives abroad as he was ousted by a military general. Owning this position in the peoples “mind” is far more powerful than any Thai General can ever have.
In nearly every shop or enterprise that I have encountered has had a picture or statue of Buddha, incense, and wasted food to Buddha. In a large percentage of these shops there is also a picture of The King; according to Wikipedia The King is considered by many Thai to be a Deity - now thats a powerful position to have in the minds of the people. It seems like selling statues and pictures of The King is a rather lucrative business. I wonder who manufacturers these pictures and statues. I assume the statues are manufactured and sold by a crafty entrepreneur, and the pictures of the King are probably manufactured and distributed by the king’s administration.
I haven’t watched TV or listened to the radio in Thailand - but I can only assume that the King administration actively promoted itself through these means as well. Does royalty in other countries do this? Certainly, and I would assume it has been this way through all the ages. Look at Iraq for example. Saddham filled Baghdad and the countryside with his image, statues, and victory monuments - all dedicated to himself. When I traveled to the country of Jordan I was amazed to see that Sadham and Bin Laden were cult-like heroes and t-shirts, key chains, posters, and other paraphanalia were availabel for purchase. I don’t believe that any organization were responsible for these items, as manufacturers were probably using current events to dictate their product cycle.
What does it mean to be a king or a queen? Is there any down time to enjoy your fabulous wealth and power? Are all kings corrupt and licentious? If you could control an entire country that is somewhat modernized what would it be like? If being a king of a third world country is cool - what would it be like to be the president of the United States!? Being the president would not afford you the ability to do as much as you could if you were the king of a third world country. The President of the United States and other modernized countries are constantly scrutinized by a free press. But in a third world country you can do whatever you please, and face no scrutiny. It appears that in Thailand the King loves his people and has their best interest at heart - however, I have a feeling that being a king is about owning the position of being the ruler or leader of a nation and therefore banking from it.
Tags: Bhumibol Adulyadej, kings, Politics, Positioning, queens, thai royalty, Thailand
