US embassy cable - 05BANGKOK868

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 
----------------- 
 
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 
-------------------------- 
 
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