Thai King applies for palm oil patent

The King commands deep affection in Thailand

Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej has applied for a patent for the use of palm oil as a cheap alternative fuel for diesel engines, officials said on Friday.

The formula would help to cut pollution and save on oil imports, they said.

"This will be a great help for the country," said Santi Rattanasuwan, deputy director-general of Thailand's intellectual property department.

King Bhumibol: Also seen as a gifted composer

"The concept of using palm oil as engine fuel is not new. Many people have talked about it, tested it and failed.

"But the king's formula, which he tested and proved himself, works well with the engine."

The king has reportedly found that a special mixture of palm and diesel oil can be used in diesel engines without the need for modifications or a filter.

Much loved monarch

Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit said the ministry would ask the state-run Petroleum Authority of Thailand to help produce the palm oil formula fuel so it can be sold in Thailand at low cost.

King Bhumibol, 73, is accorded God-like status among his people. He is the country's longest living monarch and the world's longest reigning living monarch, having come to the throne 55 years ago.

He has been revered as the one constant in Thai life during successive political and economic crises.

As well as working on his palm oil formula, the King is fluent in three European languages, is considered a gifted composer, particularly of jazz, and is a keen photographer and painter.

The reverence accorded to the Thai royal family was evident last year when censors banned a Hollywood remake of the classic film, The King and I, saying it was historically inaccurate and an insult to the monarchy.

Anna and the King, which starred Jodie Foster, told the story of an English governess in the 19th century court of King Rama IV.