The 57th Workshop Meeting (WSM) of Heads of National Productivity Organizations (NPOs) paid rich tribute to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand who passed away on 13 October, 2016. The three-day workshop that kicked off today, and is attended by representatives of 19 APO member countries, along with agriculture delegates and advisers, observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect to the King and express its solidarity with the people of the APO member country Thailand.

WSM delegates from APO member countries and observers stand up and observe two-minute silence to pay homage to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand who passed away on 13 October, 2016. The late Monarch was beloved among all his subject and was revered as the “father of the nation” among Thailand’s 67 million people. Photos: Malaysia Productivity Corporation

King Bhumibol became the ninth monarch of Thailand from the Chakri Dynasty after his coronation on 5 May 1950. He was the world’s longest-serving head of state and the longest-reigning monarch in Thai history, serving for over 70 years. He is credited with bringing in several changes, including Thailand’s transition to a democratic system and is revered as the Monarch who worked hardest to improve the livelihoods Thai citizens through his comprehensive understanding of their living conditions.

In his private life, King Bhumibol loved both art and science. According to details from the Wikipedia, he was an accomplished painter, musician, photographer, author and translator. His book Phra Mahachanok is based on a traditional Jataka story of Buddhist scripture while the Story of Thong Daeng is the story of his dog Thong Daeng. King Bhumibol was also a jazz saxophone player and composer, playing dixieland and New Orleans jazz, and also the clarinet, trumpet, guitar, and piano and had also performed with Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Benny Goodman, Stan Getz, Lionel Hampton, and Benny Carter. The King wrote 49 compositions, including marches, waltzes, and Thai patriotic songs, but mostly jazz swing. His most popular compositions were Candlelight Blues, Love at Sundown, and Falling Rain, all composed in 1946.

King Bhumibol was also the only Thai monarch to hold a patent. He obtained one in 1993 for a waste water aerator named “Chai Pattana”. His other patents included the “sandwich” rainmaking patent in 1999 and the “supersandwich” patent in 2003.