Two former photographers of The Nation, Vinit Tinvirat and Channarong Porndilokrat, looked back fondly on their assignments to capture the life and times of His Majesty the King.
Vinit, now retired, recalled that in early July 1986, he was assigned to cover a sailboat race at Klai Kangwon Palace. He boarded a boat to photograph the race in which the King was one of the competitors.
“After the event, I returned to Bangkok to develop the film. [Then-editor] Suthichai Yoon ordered one photo to be the main image on the front page and other photos for the inside pages,” Vinit said.
Suthichai told Vinit to take some copies of The Nation to distribute at the race. When HSH Prince Bhisadej Rajani saw the newspaper, he remarked on how nice the photo was and wished to show it to the King.
“When the King came, Bhisadej ran to him and showed him the newspaper. I took photos as the King looked at the paper.”
Vinit said he felt very proud – and even more so when the King stopped in front of him in a line of people as he was about to leave.
As Vinit bowed, the King thanked him. “When he said ‘Thank you’ to me, I was speechless and did not know what to do. I kept bowing and bowing and was very honoured.
“Actually, the King uttered several sentences to another photographer from The Nation standing next to me, but I remembered only what he told me, such was my excitement.”
Channarong said he had the privilege of following the King’s activities on many occasions, but several events particularly impressed him.
“Once, the King chaired a royal Kathin ceremony at Wat Arun, or Temple of Dawn. I took photos of the King prostrating before a Buddha statue because the light and shadow were beautiful.
“That photo was published on the front page of The Nation. It is not usual for one to take photos of [HM the King] prostrating,” he said.
He said he wanted people to see that the King was a devout Buddhist.
The King, himself a keen |photographer, surprised and impressed Channarong during another assignment at a longboat race at Khao Tao in Prachuap Khiri Khan province. “I was taking photos of the King against a beautiful background of water when he looked at me, lifted his camera and began taking photos of me. I was very honoured |and so excited that I did not|know what to do,” Channarong said.
“His Majesty the King showed his photographic talents as he lifted his camera, adjusted it a little and shot.”
Another photo he loved was taken when the King was watching a boat race with his favourite pet dog, Khun Tongdaeng, and sitting near trophies with ribbons around them.
“Khun Tongdaeng was a very smart dog. When she saw something moving, she would pay attention. The photo I took showed Khun Tongdaeng sniffing at the ribbons. The King turned to Khun Tongdaeng and smiled at her cuteness,” he said.
Channarong said that his photos reflected his strong wish to tell the public that although the King was elderly, he kept working. Channarong is now corporate communications manager of Doi Kham Food Product Company, under the Crown Property Bureau.
Looking back, Vinit added that he felt proud and honoured to be assigned to cover the King’s activities. He also remembered the time he dropped his camera lens, which rolled towards the King and Queen who were walking at the National Theatre.
“I was in a rush to change the lens when it dropped from my hands. The lens landed near the King’s feet so I crawled towards him in an attempt to grab it, so that it would not block his path. When the King saw me crawling, he just smiled and continued walking.
“I was afraid and startled but fortunately I managed to grab the lens just in time,” he said.
Asked for his thoughts now that His Majesty the King has gone, Vinit said: “I wish to say that I wanted the King be with us for a longer period. Now that we have lost him, I am very sorry.”
Channarong added: “I want everybody to remember what the King did for the country and its people. I want people to remember him and join in wishing him rest and peace in heaven.”