Thai King's iPods

It's important that the media, traditional or new, need to get their information and facts right before posting or publishing these information. As for the case of the iPod commemorating the King's 60th Assession to the Throne, the companies that are responsible for the production and idea are IT City and Apple Thailand.

In addition, I think that the people who are commenting on these posts across the internet, are not respecting the Thais and thei King. Sure enough, you do not know anything about us. Thus, it is even more important to be cautious when commenting on these issues. The world is a fragile place and the denial to understand other cultures and beliefs are just the beginning of the downfall of all mankind.

Peace!

I'm an Australian living in Thailand and can confirm most of the comments made by the Thais in this thread. His Majesty The King would not have commissioned the making of these special iPods. This year is the 60th anniversary of his reign so this is simply another way to mark the event. There are even specially designed laptops available for sale as well.

While the monarchy in some countries may be looked upon as freeloaders and a waste of money this is not the case in Thailand, ask any Thai and they will tell you how much they love and revere their King. If you haven't lived in Thailand it might be hard to believe but it's true.

IT City are Thailand's largest chain of computer and consumer electronic shops, similar to a Harvey Norman or maybe a Best Buy. Here are some scans l made of their flyer for these commemorative iPods, including prices.


http://show.imagehosting.us/show/1706825/0/nouser_1706/T0_-1_1706825.jpg

http://show.imagehosting.us/show/1706828/0/nouser_1706/T0_-1_1706828.jpg

Anyone who wants these ipods PM me, I can get them for you - I am in Thailand.

I'm of Thai heritage too and glad to see the earlier comments encouraging awareness that the Thai King is not just "any king". To place him as an exception to the rule is an understatement.

These iPods look packaged really elegant -- I wonder who all the fortunate recipients will be!

Sometimes I think of giant golden Buddha statues... and now I think of golden iPods too. It's too bad this round is still white with the engravings and not the golden, prosperous tone of the packaging. But regardless, they are very nice.

It's too bad iPods don't support Thai, at all. Thai characters aren't displayed, and Thai song names show up as blank lines. Suddenly my iPod is about as easy to navigate as a Shuffle.

Surely, adding a Thai font to the iPod firmware would be a better publicity effort in Thailand than selling special edition iPods in a velvet box with the King's seal.

Short answer to #19

He did several times to Thaksin, only to see the supreme ignorant of the former prime minister to the King's advices and words.

Thaksin would be much better off, if he had listened.

By saying the king has nothing to do with politics and political issues doesn't imply, by any mean, that he does not care and doesn't mean he ignores the issues.

I'm confidence that every Thai old enough would remember the Bloody May, May 1992. If he wasn't there to help the nation out, it might turn into one of the bloodiest civil war in our history.

He also responsible for over 3,000 national projects, ranging from scientific research and development of biofuel to rural and urban development.

Before this thread become an unnecessity political discussion involving one of the figure I know Thai people will die defending, I propose we rather not bring the king of Thailand into the further discussion. Let's focus on the iPod.

Yeah right.
"I Repeat: His majesty the King has nothing to do with Political issue and Taksin."
But he still has the responsibility of speaking up.

Anybody knows what is the minium order to make custom-made nanos?

Adam - I'm not sure about the Nano version but the regular (VDO 60GB) version cost 13,500 bahts or around US$360.
http://www.macdd.com/h_price.html

I don't think they take mail (or internet) orders. Also, it might still be hard to find on eBay if any. But if you guys know someone in Bangkok to won't be hard to get one.

I wonder when American politicians will get wise are send the voting public an iPod or two.

Well, when Bush decides to throw the Security Level to Red in, say, October 2008, declare martial law, suspend the Constitution and declare himself dictator-for-life, we may get a few commemorative iPods at each decade of the Bush dictatorship. You might want to start checking your mailbox around January 2011, but I suspect that everyone who is going to get one already knows who they are.

Do one of you Thai guys know how much these iPod Nanos go for? My Thai wife would love one and she would be the envy of our local Wat (Thai Temple). Also, if you know someone to buy one from by internet or phone?