Thailand's king reigns -- but he doesn't rule

King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, who turned 81 on Dec. 5, broke with tradition by not addressing the nation on his birthday. The official reason was that he had a sore throat that affected his voice. Indeed, his health is a source of concern among the Thai people, few of whom have known any other monarch. But it is also possible that he decided this was not a good time to make a public speech, which could be interpreted as a political signal of his approval or disapproval of the various factions that have disrupted Thai politics in recent months.

By Darryl N. Johnson

December 26, 2008