Shining royal rear-ends

Polishing antique silver can reduce its worth. But, in Thailand, when it comes to polishing the posteriors of royals, those doing the buffing seek to outdo their peers with ridiculous claims.

As this polishing has become ever more vigorous since the anti-monarchist uprising a few years ago, we can only assume that the palace and the royals who are having their back ends repeatedly shined either believe the outlandish claims or reckon they are great propaganda for their “children.” Perhaps both.

A recent example of rear-end work comes from the Dhanant Subhadrabandhu, the boss of Thailand Post, who refers to a “a prestigious 12-year philatelic project” that uses doodles by Princess Sirindhorn as illustration for stamps celebrating the “royal zodiac set” of cartoons. Presumably not batting a royalist eyelid, Dhanant reckons the series of has become “a cultural mainstay over the past decade.”

Dhanant goes heavy on the Brasso, saying the royal doodles “reflect … not only the Princess’s artistic brilliance but also her deep-seated affection for the cultural beliefs and well-being of the Thai people.” It is claimed that Thailand Post “views the [new] stamp as a miniature work of art and a cultural record.”

The report of this burnishing adds: “The series stands as a testament to the enduring bond between the Thai monarchy and the nation’s cultural heritage, preserved in a format that can be shared from generation to generation.” Perhaps they mean the aged generations. Young generations do not communicate with or about philately.

Of course, such posterior shining and repeated exercises in manufacturing consent costs taxpayers some money. Noticeably, royals are increasingly making use of huge amounts of taxpayer funded budgets.