- Title: Thai king's yellow and blue volunteer army boosts his support, visibility
- Date: 3rd September 2018
- Summary: BANGKOK, THAILAND (FILE - OCTOBER 23, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF VOLUNTEERS LINING UP TO PAY RESPECT TO LATE KING BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ AT MOCK UP CREMATORIUM
- Embargoed: 17th September 2018 10:45
- Keywords: Thailand Bangkok Thai King volunteer monarchy Thai king's coronation coronation
- Location: BANGKOK, CHIANG RAI, THAILAND
- City: BANGKOK, CHIANG RAI, THAILAND
- Country: Thailand
- Topics: Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA0068W7MLAD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: From a distance, the volunteers cleaning up a clogged Bangkok waterway could be mistaken for Scouts, but the group, wearing yellow foulards and blue hats, are part of a volunteer programme started by Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
The "Volunteer Spirit" scheme, which officially began in 2017, has created a new army of civilians who have pledged allegiance to the king and are boosting the image of Vajiralongkorn, 66, ahead of his formal coronation at year-end according to sources close to the palace.
No official date has yet been set for the coronation.
Vajiralongkorn's father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, was revered by Thais during his seven decades on the throne and the deep relationship between the monarchy and the military helped facilitate a smooth royal transition following his death in October 2016.
Since then, the new king has brought about a major shake-up of royal affairs, and some observers have said he may be seeking to distance himself from the military, which has been in power in Thailand since a 2014 coup.
Last year, Vajiralongkorn demanded unprecedented changes to a constitutional draft endorsed by the military government. He has also taken back control of royal assets formally managed by the government. But he is thought to have a good working relationship with Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.
Volunteers say the volunteer programme not only benefits the monarchy, but also society too.
"As you can see, even elders and kids are helping out, it gives me courage to do the same. Whatever helps support society, I will do," said police officer and volunteer, Montri Pengnu.
More than 4 million volunteers from all walks of life have joined the scheme, according to officials in charge. They carry out a range of tasks from cleaning public spaces to helping police to direct traffic. Their most high-profile moment was came when the volunteers joined an international rescue effort to rescue 12 boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave last month.
Volunteers have to register with the palace and go through an initiation process that involves lining up and bowing in front of the king's portrait before being given their yellow and blue uniforms - colours associated with former King Bhumibol and Queen Mother Sirikit, Vajiralongkorn's mother.
Once they put on their new uniforms, the volunteers do a military-style salute to the king's portrait and, in a completely new tradition, they must line up and salute the king's portrait every time before starting a community activity.
The volunteers are able to do things that the government might otherwise not be able to, because of their royal backing, said Sulak Sivaraksa, 86, a renowned scholar and critic of the monarchy, told Reuters in an interview.
"If the government asked them, they would not do it," said Sulak. "The volunteer programme is one of the great successes of the new king."
Bhumibol was patron to hundreds of foundations spread across Thailand, but no such volunteer programme existed during his reign. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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