The King And His Dog

Written by Roger Abrantes

Wednesday, 16 June 2010 14:20

Tongdaeng, the former Bangkok stray, adopted as a pup by Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, has caught the heart of a nation. Thais have been so taken with her, that a book on her life story, 'The Story of Tongdaeng,' or เรื่อง ทองแดง, written by the King, became the top best-seller the instant it hit the bookstores.

TongdaengBook

The book 'The Story of Tongdaeng', or เรื่อง ทองแดง, was published in 2002. ทองแดง (Tongdaeng) means 'copper', in Thai, literally, 'red gold'. The title of the book in Thai is, therefore, 'Story Gold Red' (in Thai there are no articles nor prepositions and adjectives come after substantives).

Thais love their king and riot-like scenes unfolded in shops as customers wrestled and fought with each other over the last few items. 200,000 copies were snapped up on its November 12, 2002 release, doubling first-day sales of the best-selling Harry Potter offering.

Her rise from pariah to palace favorite began the day in 1998 when she was carried through the gates of Chitralada Palace in Bangkok as a present for the King from a medical development centre, which looked after strays and had heard that his Majesty loved dogs.

Born in the streets of Bangkok, Tongdaeng is being hailed, not merely as one of the best-mannered, considerate, respectful and grateful dogs in the world, but as an example to all Thais—particularly politicians—on how to behave. The King's devoted subjects have been buying the book, not just for the pictures of one man and his dog, but for the sentiments contained in the text, written by the King himself.

Readers discover messages on morality and manners on almost every page—a much-appreciated counterbalance to the stories of corruption that surround Thailand's political elite. King Bhumibol, a constitutional monarch, who enjoys immense respect from his people, introduces Tongdaeng as 'a common dog who is uncommon'. Among her characteristics is the ability to marshal other palace dogs and make them sit to attention in the presence of the King.

When chasing other dogs around trees, she insists that the group always goes clockwise. For many readers, this is interpreted as a call for national unity in the face of a parliament rent by arguments among MPs.

The dog has the ability to pick up and open coconuts at the King's seaside palace on the Gulf of Thailand, although this can take hours and lead to torn gums. The message is interpreted as advice to practise patience in adversity.' Tongdaeng shows gratitude and respect—as opposed to people who, after becoming important, might treat with contempt someone of lower status to whom they should be thankful,' the King writes. The Thai people are more than familiar with politicians who, once elected to office, abandon all principles in pursuit of their own wealth and aggrandisement.

On the day in 1988, when Tongdaeng was presented to the King, she wimpered all the way to the palace. 'Although the person who brought her gave her some milk and cakes, she did not stop crying, even when she was carried around to pacify her. Strangely enough, when she had been presented to His Majesty, she stopped crying and crawled up to nestle on his lap as if to entrust her life to his care, and fell fast asleep, free from all worries and care,' the King writes (always describing himself in the third person).

She also shows respect. In Thailand, it is improper for a person's head to be higher than that of someone of greater status. Two hundred years ago, it was a capital offence to rise above the head of the King of Thailand. 'Other dogs would show their delight when they met the King by jumping onto his lap. Tongdaeng would never do that. She always stays lower than him. Even when he pulls her up to embrace her, Tongdaeng will crouch on the floor, her ears down, in a respectful manner as if saying: 'I dare not. It's not proper'. To show respect, she will lick the King's hands heartily and continuously.'

Thais love their king and have the utmost respect for him, who, although never directly criticising public figures, occasionally issues reminders to Thailand's political leaders about their lax moral standards: his lectures receive widespread media prominence. Thais also remember how King Bhumibol ended clashes more than one, notably in Bangkok in May 1992, when scores of pro-democracy demonstrators, protesting at a military takeover, were shot by the army. Millions of viewers worldwide saw the army chief, General Suchinda Kraprayoon, and a democracy campaigner, Chamlong Srimuang, prostrating themselves in front of him as he ordered them to cease their battles for the good of the country.

The ultimate message of Tongdaeng, the mongrel stray, is that, even though you may be born into poverty, you can rise to the top by means of your manners and attitude.

Last Updated on Friday, 23 July 2010 11:07