31st August 2021
The day had come and already by sunrise it was clear that the crowds had flooded to Unity Plaza. Little ramshackle roadside stands had been set up in order to furnish those gathering with drinks, food, there was even a huge trade being done in tacky commemorative gifts like t-shirts, plates, badges. Lines of soldiers, serving their final days in the uniform of their homeland, kept watch at strategic points overlooking the masses. The skies above the plaza could be seen criss crossed with the vapour trails of planes patrolling the skies and the hum of helicopter rotars shuffled the various delegations from nearby towns and cities to the Plaza's own helipad.
Somsak had arrived just after sunrise and having pushed his way through the crowds to find a place close to the border from where he could witness the days proceedings. He had a small bag of snacks he'd brought and a large flask of water to see him through. He was joined by various other random people from the Kingdom and although strangers they soon began chatting and a sense of nervousness about the next weeks and months was clear. Much would change for them and while Somsak was positive about the future it would be an uncertain one as it was likely the industries of the neighbours would flood to the old Kingdom, perhaps that would be good? More jobs, more oppurtunities, but would they bring their own people? This uncertainty made him wonder if his destiny would truly be one of tending the fields in a remote village.
Across the ribbon Phichit had arrived and found a safe place to leave his bike. He bid some of his new biker friends farewell and took time to browse the crowded stalls. He found a bulky looking tree and a comfy looking "Y" in it and scrambled up making himself comfortable on a blanket and jacket he had from his trip. It gave a good view over the crowd and would let him get a great view of today's happenings. Across the ribbon he could see a large crowd, slightly smaller than the one on the side of the Democratic Republic, mainly because the roads and transport systems of the Kingdom made the journey difficult for large numbers. He now recognised close to the ribbon an old concrete pillbox, it had been home to him for several weeks at one point. He traced a familiar line from it and found sunken in a dip a similar one on the opposite side of the border. It was there he had exchanged nervous glances at Royal soldiers and now he considered whether one of those men would now be looking back across the scene at him today.
Inside the plaza itself final touches were being put in place. A ceremonial group of four Alander soldiers were gathering and with them Johanna Madson, the widow of the then young diplomat who had begun talks between the two nations, Ragnar Madson. The Alander ambassador was also with them and now in the room that would become the government council chamber a document was rolled out. It had a whole string of statements, rules, conditions and beneath it was a series of signatures arranged in threes, each set of signatures showing that the two Lan Na states and first the UNP, and now Alanders, agreed that the various conditions for each stage of unifcation had been fulfilled. The Alander ambassador picked the pen up and signed his name followed quickly by President Sodsri and then as those watching on the giant screens and TV's around the nation and perhaps even the world watched as the King's pen hesitated for just a few seconds and then he affixed his own signature. Outside the sound of cheers could be heard. The document that had first been drawn up in 2003 was rolled up and handed to Johanna who followed by the Alander soldiers made their way outside into the morning sun followed by the two Lan Na states delegates, the cabinet of the Democratic Republic and the horde of the Royal Family. Once through the doors they made their way up the steps to the temple on the roof. There Johanna handed over the document to a yellow robed Priest who gave the document a religious blessing sealing it with the power of the Yaśodist faith. It was then handed back to Johanna who presented it once more to two children, one from each nation who would carry it for the rest of the days ceremonies. Johanna and the ambassador shook hands with the King and President before making their way with their escort down the steps and a waiting helicopter began to spin up their rotars. The soldiers watched them go inside and a Sergeant lowered the Alander flag that stood on the Plaza's only flagpole indicating that they had been custodians of the location for the few months it had been fully finished. The sergeant neatly folded it and then stepped back, saluted an officer from a newly created Lan Na unit and then marched to the helicopter. While to the public it would look like it was leaving it would merely wait overhead before bringing them back to enjoy the less formal celebrations.
Nervously the new officer called forward two soldiers who between them carried the new white flag of the United States. It was attached to the flagpole ready to be hoisted but nothing more was done. At the podium on the lawn before the plaza's imposing new building the two leadership groups gathered. President Sodsri was first to speak. "You have just witnessed myself and His Majesty King Kittiratt sign the final step to our reunification. It stated we have everything in place to make the United Lan Na States a nation of peace and moving towards us all leading better lives. I thank His Majesty for having the courage to see this day through and look forward to serving the people alongside him. I would invite him for the first....and final time....to visit the Democratic Republic." The crowd clapped and Sodsri handed the microphone towards the King. There was once more hesitation and then Kittiratt embraced Sodsri warmly before taking the microphone, ducking under the ribbon he stood now in the Democratic Republic in its final minutes.
"There was a time my ancestors would have never dreamed of someone in my position giving away power. I have therefore failed them. I have however set my people on a better path for a better future. Both these things will have consequences for me. One consequence is I will see Lan Naites take their futures into their own hands and fly making me proud of all of you. The other consequence is that I have gone against the wishes of my forefathers that the monarchy holds the power of our lands. It is not a wish I now share having worked with President Sodsri. I therefore announce that my final act as King of Lan Na is to invite the President to visit the Kingdom of Lan Na for his first and final time to greet the new King of Lan Na, my son, Chulalok." There was a surprised look on the Prince's face and the President had not even been informed of this decision, he asked the King if he was sure and a gentle push towards his son was confirmation. Sodsri ducked under the ribbon and then shook hands with the now King Chulalok.
Kittirit told his son now to speak and Chulalok, tears on his cheek thought for a moment. "It is the duty of a King of Lan Na to help guide his subjects and to honour the wishes of his ancestors. My father wished our lands to be one and I give my word that I will work with whoever the people select to make our lands better." A small stone table stood underneath the ribbon, a set of large scissors on them. "Is now the time?" he asked the President confused about what was to happen, things had now been thrown into chaos slightly. The crowd on the Democratic Republic's side were cheering while those on the Kingdom were in disbelief at what they had just seen. The royalists had been brought up to believe the power of the monarch so on one hand would follow Kittirit's decision but that didn't lessen their shock for now.
"We should" Sodsri and Chulalok picked up the scissors and posing for the cameras made a display of cutting the ribbon. The sky filled with cheers as the crowd rushed forward pulling at the ribbon each trying to cut a section as a souvenior. Others rushed to be among the first to say they had crossed the old frontier. As Phichit drank a bottle of Mekhong as he pondered the future a bewildered man slumped against his tree.
"You alright?" Phichit shouted down as he gathered his things and dropped down to ground level offering the man his flask.
"So much change in one day." Somsak said as he surveyed the new land he had walked onto. Phichit spotted the Rifleman's badge being rubbed gently in Somsak's hand.
"You served?" Phichit asked.
"No its my grand-fathers." Somsak smiled as he showed it clearly before spotting his new acquaintance was wearing the jacket of the once enemy. "I don't know what he'll make of today, he was a proud supporter of the King."
"Well come and let us get drunk together while we work out the future." Random people embraced as they celebrated their unity.