Thong Daeng

Thong Daeng, (Thai: คุณทองแดง) a female copper-colored dog, is one of the pets owned by King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. Bhumibol adopted Thong Daeng in 1998 from the litter of a stray dog that had been taken in by a medical center he had recently dedicated. Her name means "copper" in Thai.

Bhumibol called her "A common dog who is uncommon," and in 2002 wrote an affectionate biography of her titled "The Story of Thong Daeng (เรื่อง ทองแดง)". The book is commonly referred to as a parable on many social topics. For instance, the King wrote that "Tongdaeng is a respectful dog with proper manners; she is humble and knows protocol. She would always sit lower than the King; even when he pulls her up to embrace her, Tongdaeng would lower herself down on the floor, her ears in a respectful drooping position, as if she would say, 'I don't dare.'"

All the names of the dogs owned by the King start with the word "Thong" (lit. gold).

The book instantly sold out in Thailand. Since demand was so high, the book became an esteemed gift. Shortages of the book had to be kept down by multiple reprints.

Literature

• HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. The Story of Tongdaeng. Amarin, Bangkok. 2004. ISBN 9742729174

References

• Seth Mydans, For Dogged Devotion to Etiquette, a Kingly Tribute, International Herald Tribune, 26 December 2002