1. Most Famous Kiss. The most famous kiss of the jubilee celebration occurred on June 12 during a royal reception ceremony at the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. Queen Sofia of Spain, who came over to the Thai Kingdom alone without King Juan Carlos I, sprang a surprise by giving His Majesty the King a kiss on the cheek. This was probably the first time that the Thai people saw His Majesty the King being kissed. Queen Sofia moved on with her balancing act of greeting by also giving Queen Sirikit a similar peck on the cheek.

With this good luck kiss, two days later the Spanish football team routed Ukraine by 4 goals to nil in the first round of the World Cup in Germany. Go Spain go!

2. Most Famous Photographer. This title unquestionably goes to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. On June 9, the date of the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's accession to the throne, Princess Sirindhorn was moving around with her digital camera. The Thai people were most impressed with Princess Sirindhorn's snapping away at the crowd of almost one million gathering at the Royal Plaza. The princess, digital camera in hand, was standing right behind His Majesty the King on the balcony of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. This picture of the King and the Princess was the most loveable and touching of all.

3. Most Beautiful Princess. The stunning beauty of Princess Lalla Salma Bennani, 27, of Morocco, has already become a legend in the Thai Kingdom. Her image of a princess in a fairy tale will continue to linger in the minds of the Thai people for a very long time to come. The Thais can't have enough of her photos. She has a very graceful countenance. She walked like a princess and dressed like a princess. Her movements were like a swan swimming in a lake.

Upon her arrival, Princess Lalla Salma went to the Chatuchak Weekend Market on Sunday to observe the Thai version of a bazaar. She bought three pairs of shoes. She also 20 wristbands with the inscription "We Love the King" when she noticed that many people around her were wearing them.

When a shopkeeper went over to give some gifts to the princess, she asked whether the gifts were expensive or not. If they were expensive, she would rather pay for them than simply take them. When the Princess was told that they were gifts, she asked how to say thank you in Thai. Upon being told that it was "khop khun", she repeated the words and put her palms together in the wai posture.

What a lovely and charming princess!

4. Most Talked-About Prince. Crown Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan was not only the most talked about of all the royal guests, he was also the most photogenic. At 26, he looked very young and very handsome, with his shiny combed hair. He was considered the most eligible. Thai ladies, in particular, were very excited with his striking appearance in his traditional costume. When he arrived at the Royal Thai Navy Conference Hall to watch the Royal Barge Procession, he was greeted with a blaze of camera flashlights. The Crown Prince generously stood still to give the photographers some precious seconds to take his picture.

An Oxford graduate, the Crown Prince of Bhutan said in one of his interviews that he was very impressed with the Thai King and would follow his footsteps in ruling his own country. Crown Prince Jigme will ascend the throne of Bhutan two years from now.

On the Thai websites, photos of the crown prince are the most copied and circulated.

5. Most Friendly Prince. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupouto'a of Tonga is the most friendly royal personality of all. He gave out his broad smile all the time. And he seemed to feel as at ease in Thai kingdom as in Tonga. TV cameras showed the prince chatting amiably with Princess Sirindhorn on several occasions.

6. Most Unassuming Prince. This title goes to Prince Henrik of Denmark. During the jubilee celebrations, he stayed at the Oriental Hotel. A hill mynah at the Oriental had the honour of being greeted with a sawasdee krub from Prince Henrik, the husband of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. There was no report of any reply from the bird, which can speak.

Prince Henrik appears to be a man with a very good heart. Upon his arrival on June 8, he took a boat tour on the Chao Phya River wearing a yellow T-shirt with the Royal Emblem of the Thai Monarch.

7. Most Majestic Couple. This very special title is reserved for Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan. Their presence and manner were very majestic. The Thai people were very impressed with their politeness and gentleness. The emperor and the empress also looked a very kind couple, with all goodwill in their hearts. They proudly represented the grand royal tradition of Japan, which dates back more than 1,000 years.

8. Most Famous Royal Remark. The most famous royal remark was made by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah Sultan Dan Yang DiPertuan of Brunei Darussalam at a banquet in honour of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Speaking on behalf of other kings, queens and royal representatives of 25 nations, Sultan Bolkiah lauded the Thai king for the achievements and records of his 60-year reign.

"In recognising all these accomplishments some accounts of your reign have accorded you the title 'The Great'. We can all understand why.

"But, for us who have come to honour you here, a simpler title expresses our feeling. It is a dear and very special title. You are Our Friend and Our Most Respected colleague. You inspire us all and we, Your Majesty's peers and admirers, honour you most deeply for this."

9. Most Beloved King. The title of Most Beloved King of All definitely goes to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who has just commemorated the diamond jubilee of his accession to the throne. He has followed the footsteps of his grandfather, King Chulalongkorn, or Rama V, as the Most Beloved King. Another well-known title of King Chulalongkorn is "Phra Piyamaharaj", or the Most Beloved King.

On June 9, when the King appeared on the balcony of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall to greet his people, there were tears of joy and great pride everywhere. Nearly one million people gathered at the Royal Plaza to get a glimpse of their King. No other personality in Thailand commands more reverence and deeper respect than His Majesty the King, who practices the Ten Kingly Virtues.

Long Live the King!

Thanong Khanthong

The Nation