Contact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353
Washington, D.C.- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand:
"I join with the Thai people and others around the world to mourn the loss of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Many tributes will rightfully be made to the king's deep love for his people and his wisdom in guiding Thailand. But while King Bhumibol was the revered caretaker of an ancient land located thousands of miles from American shores, he was-in both quite literal and figurative terms-a son of America. Perhaps it's fitting that the king-born in Massachusetts-shared a birthplace with the American Revolution. He carried with him something of his birthplace: a revolutionary love of liberty. As the son of a Vietnam veteran, I will not soon forget that in that war against Communist expansion, it was the young king who made the decision to stand with the United States. And it was the best sons of the Thai nation who stood and fought alongside my father and other U.S. troops."
"In recent years, Thailand has faced governmental challenges. And now, with the death of King Bhumibol, Thailand is facing another hardship. But while King Bhumibol has passed, the spirit of his benevolence will not. As the Thai people move forward, they will do so in the shade of King Bhumibol's legacy. And they should know that they do so with the American people firmly by their side."
Click here to read Senator Cotton's Medium post on the life and legacy of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
