I read Raghu Pant's guest column with considerable interest ('A monarchy's morality', #225), where he asks other Asian monarchs to emulate Thailand's King Bhumibol. I have a lot of respect for the Thai King since I served with the UN regional office in Bangkok for quite a while. But I think King Gyanendra is an equally good monarch advocating good governance, a middle path in Nepali politics, equality and justice, shunning media publicity and sincerely concerned about the country's political future and economic growth. He is the king of a peace loving country where peace is still elusive. Monarchs are, in their own right, different, each having their unique personal qualities moulded to fit the public's expectation of their king. Thailand and Nepal share a similar history, even the Hindu-Buddhist religion to an extent. But then, Raghuji, geo-politics does not allow our kingdom to behave otherwise and neither could Thailand juxtapose itself in Nepal's place. As a minister, I am sure you know
this though you have not mentioned it.

Surya B Prasai, e-mail