Since I was young, I have seen our King at school. He was in my books, teaching me what
sufficiency is. As I grew, I realized that sufficiency does not stop at using your whole pencil or finishing
the whole tube of your toothpaste until it is as flat as a sheet of paper. Instead, sufficiency is about
the mindset that what you have is enough and that leads to happiness. It is a common thing to say
that He was our father, because He gave us the formula for happiness; but to me that is the most
bril iant thing anyone has ever discovered.
Then I grew up a little more and I heard the King in music, in the national anthem we sang
every day. Our King was a talented musician, but I would like to think of Him as more of a conductor.
Thailand was His show, the musicians and audiences were His people. He guided and inspired us to
be the best we could be by using himself as an example. I was one of the audience who walked in
quite late in His show, but I still saw and heard what millions had seen and heard for so many years.
Now that our conductor is gone, what shall we do? If we are like all the great shows out there, we
must continue. This show must go on to make our conductor proud, so that all His hard work and
dedication will not go to waste.
Our King was devoted to us: His brilliant mind, His tireless body, His caring heart. He sacrificed
comfort to propel our country to a better future. He filled our lands with crops, He filled our rivers with
fish, and He brought us rain and prosperity. He built my world; therefore He built a part of me.
Lastly, I would like to remind us that actions speak louder than words. Our King did more and
was more than I could ever write. I think when one does so many great things in a lifetime, it is
hard to put that story into words, but I think we all know and remember our King in the same way.
Without a title, most people would just be ordinary, but our King did not need a title. I do not think
He wil ever be truly gone. He is and will always be among us, in our hearts and everywhere – the
sky, the stars, the fathers and the music.
Third Place, M5 (three-way tie): Ms Thanaporn Aramthaweethong (Room 5)
Throughout all my life, I have always seen our beloved King working so very hard. There was
no place in this country that He had not reached. In fact, I cannot describe what He means to me
in words because of His priceless kindness. He was not only the King who had ruled the country for
seven decades, but He also provided the special bond that unites all Thais.
He has taught me what ‘devotion’ means. Getting to know His work is the same as getting to
know His life. Being the King of Thailand, He had many things to develop and d