THAILAND: NEWS AND NOTES ON THE ROYAL FAMILY

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 000868

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP, INR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/31/2014
TAGS: PGOV PREL TH
SUBJECT: THAILAND: NEWS AND NOTES ON THE ROYAL FAMILY

REF: BANGKOK 8344

Classified By: AMBASSADOR RALPH L. BOYCE. REASON 1.4(D)

THE KING COMMENTS
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1. (SBU) On January 27, I attended the annual Prince
Mahidol awards ceremony, which the King directly presides
over. The annual awards, named in honor of the King's
father, are presented to individuals who have made
outstanding contributions in the fields of medicine or public
health. Princess Sirindhorn acted as the Master of Ceremony
for this year's event. I was invited because one of this
year's honorees is an American citizen, Professor Jonathan
Samet of the John Hopkins School of Public Health. The other
honoree, a professor at the University of Geneva, is a German
citizen.


2. (S) Following the ceremony, a small group was invited
into a small ante-room for a private audience with the King.
The group included Princess Sirindhorn, the two award winners
and their spouses, the German Ambassador and me.


3. (S) During the audience the King showed great interest
in all exchanges, and became deeply engaged in a conversation
revolving around the issues of mental health and family
stability, and their impact on human development. These
issues are obviously near and dear to the heart of the King,
and while involved in this free-flowing conversation, he made
several notable remarks. (Note: During his latest annual
birthday message, given on December 5, 2004, the King, who
usually comments on political issues of importance, focused
on the need for the RTG to safeguard the health and education
of Thai youth. End Note.)


4. (S) Discussing the topic of family stability, the King
commented, "I understand how important it is to have both a
mother and a father in a family unit. I lost my father at a
very early age, and was raised by my mother. While she did a
wonderful job of raising her children, she could not, alone,
replace the role of a father."


5. (S) When the conversation turned towards siblings the
King said, "My older sister, Galyani, was always the 'pillar'
for me. I have always relied on her for guidance and
support. But now that she is 82, I worry about her."


6. (S) At one point in the conversation, the King stopped
and gestured towards Princess Sirindhorn, who was engaged in
a side conversation with the wife of the German award winner.
The King quietly said, "I have four children. But she
(Sirindhorn) is the only one who 'sits on the ground with the
people.' She never married, but she has millions of
children."

LATEST ON THE ROYAL FAMILY
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7. (SBU) I called on Dr. Chirayu Isarangkul na Ayuthaya,
Director-General of the Crown Property, on February 1, 2005.
The following tidbits on royal family matters emerged:


8. (S) First, and most significantly, Dr. Chirayu said that
the Crown Prince's wife, Mom Srirasmi Mahidol, is pregnant.
Separately, Tiriwat Sucharitakul, Advisor to Princess
Sirindhorn, confirmed that this is indeed the case, but has
not been made public because Mom Srirasmi has had
miscarriages in the past. (Comment: Mom Srirasmi's pregnancy
is a known secret in Thailand, particularly after a recent
public appearance in which her expanding waistline was
apparent. End Comment.)


9. (S) Turning to the Crown Prince's former consort, Mom
Yuvathida (aka Mom Benz),Dr. Chirayu said that on the
Queen's last visit to the United States she had agreed to an
audience with Mom Benz and her children, but that Mom Benz
had not made contact with the royal traveling party.
Subsequently, Ambassador Sakthip was asked to travel to
Florida to meet with Mom Benz and her children, but Mom Benz
declined the meeting. Apparently, there is an issue of
medical expenses for Mom Benz's third son; the Crown Prince
reportedly has made it clear that he will cover these
expenses and that he does not want his mother or father to be
burdened with the issue of his former family.


10. (S) Regarding the King's comment about Princess
Sirindhorn (para. 6),Dr. Chirayu noted that it said as much
about the failings of the King's other three children as his
fondness and respect for Princess Sirindhorn. The other
three had tried to carryout their royal responsibilities, but
clearly were not as capable or interested as Princess
Sirindhorn.

11. (S) On the King's warm comments about his sister,
Princes Galyani, Chirayu noted, "she is the only one left"
from the King's immediate family. Chirayu said that prior to
20-30 years ago, the King had been concerned about Princess
Galyani, who went through a series of failed marriages, but
of late had demonstrated ample commitment to her royal duties.


12. (S) In discussing the recent death of the King's
grandson, Khun Poom Jensen, Chirayu said that he had had to
undertake much of the bitter legal mediation between Princess
Ubolratana and Peter Jensen. He noted that their separation
and divorce had been quite nasty and that Mr. Jensen had not
come to Thailand to attend his son's funeral. Chirayu said
that he fended off queries as to where Mr. Jensen was by
joking that he was afraid to come to Thailand because the
Crown Prince would beat him up. (Comment: We have heard that
Mr. Jensen borrowed money from several Thais and Thai banks
prior to his divorce from Princess Ubolratana and that these
funds have never been repaid. End Comment.) Dr. Chirayu
also noted that the King was greatly touched by the
outpouring of respect and warmth for Khun Poom since his
death on December 26, 2004.


13. (S) Leaving no royal spawn uncommented upon, Chirayu
commented briefly on Princess Chulabhorn's split from Group
Captain Veerayudh Didyasarin, noting that Veerayudh, who
resides in the United States, had had an audience with the
Queen during her most recent visit. Royal relations with
Veerayudh, the former Thai Assistant Air Attache at the
Embassy in Washington, are cordial.
BOYCE