South Dovani

[Wu Han]

Crown Prince of Hanzen honours late King at Embassy
6 April 4743


The Sekoku Hōsō Kyōdō (SHK) is a publicly-funded media co-operative headquartered in Nago, Seko, with dispatch offices around the world. The SHK was founded by an act of the National Assembly of Seko.

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Originally posted by Wu Han on Apr 29, 2020. The text of the post was originally posted on the Seko thread, and is lost. The article generally noted the abrupt conclusion of the Hanzenese Royal Tour and the return of Khemkhaeng to Hanzen to prepare for the State Funeral and, subsequently, his coronation.

[Wu Han]

Coronation of King Khemkhaeng
15 July 4743



UDON NAKHON, HANZEN: After observing the obligatory 100 days of mourning for the late King Anuman, Crown Prince Khemkhaeng has been coronated as King of Hanzen in a large, jubilant ceremony in Udon Nakhon today. Nearly 400,000 well-wishers flocked to the Kingdom's capital to catch a glimpse of the royal procession, prostrating as the ornate carriage passed by. The vast majority of those who took to the streets did not get a chance to see the event first-hand, but nonetheless were excited and proud to be present at such a historical event.

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Originally posted by Wu Han on May 02, 2020.

[Wu Han]

Princess Ratanaporn becomes a major world figure in her own right

The King's half-sister gets rave reviews for her assertive performance in the General Assembly
10 January 4743


Above: Her Royal Highness Princess Ratanaporn

Given His Royal Majesty's intimate family relations with top leaders in the military, few could have suspected that the second most powerful figure in the Hanzenese political landscape since King Khemkhaeng's ascension to the Peacock Throne would be his half sister, Princess Ratanaporn.

Since the 4743 coronation of King Khemkhaeng, Princess Ratanaporn has been appointed to a number of high-level positions in the government, such as President of the National Sporting Committee of Hanzen, President of the Hanzenese Volleyball Association, Royal Patron of Contemporary Art and Culture, Minister of Water and, perhaps most notably, Permanent Representative to the World Congress.

During her tenure in the World Congress General Assembly, Princess Ratanaporn has engaged in a number of high profile debates with delegates from many developed nations, most notably the World Congress Ambassador from Dorvik, over that nation's advocacy of a Security Council intervention in nearby Bianjie. Tensions flared between the two representatives, culminating in the Dorvish Ambassador accusing the Princess of being "racist and xenophobic" for opposing the mission.

Nonetheless, Princess Ratanaporn's indomitable performance in the World Congress General Assembly has won her supporters both within and beyond the chamber. Within the Assembly, the Princess has secured commitments for humanitarian and military aid from the Valruzia, Yingdala, and Vanuku among others. As it pertains to the latter two states, there have been indications that they are preparing to join a working group within the General Assembly organized by the Princess, "for nations committed to diplomacy, democracy and development," and in opposition to the Security Council's "militaristic policies."

Domestically Princess Ratanaporn has seen her star rise, with her speeches on the General Assembly floor widely perceived as patriotic and in strong defence of Hanzen's position within an anarchic global community. The widowed spouse of Army General Keeree Shinawatra, the Princess already derives much of her political power from military figures loyal to her late husband. However, given her recent performance across multiple portfolios, the Princess has built a broader constituency amongst the Hanzenese population at large.

Many foreign observers have labelled Princess Ratanaporn a "éminence grise," or the power behind the throne, though this analysis underestimates the broad popularity and direct control over government policy the King enjoys. However, it is clear that the Princess has emerged as a paramount leader in the government — the only one of the late King Anuman's children with his first consort, Queen Songsuda, to actively participate in King Khemkhaeng's rule.

Other developments across Hanzen
Minor headlines and stories from across the country and the broader Southern Dovani region

Sekowan credit union Mizubayashi expands services to urban centres
10 January 4750

Sekowan credit union Mizubayashi has opened ten new branches in urban centres across Hanzen today. Mizubayashi Group Chairwoman Mizubayashi Naomi, speaking to reporters from the union's flagship branch in Udon Nakhon, said her members were thrilled to offer services across Hanzen: "While this first major entry into the Hanzenese market is a moment for celebration for our membership, we are committed to helping the Kingdom's economy develop and serve the underbanked in small and rural communities."

While Mizubayashi's expansion has been confined to large cities, the group's Chairwoman has said that she intends to provide Sekowan experience and expertise in forming and federating credit unions, cooperative banks and mutual savings trusts across the Kingdom of Hanzen.

King Khemkhaeng oversees preparation for Bianjie refugee influx
11 January 4750

His Royal Majesty King Khemkhaeng has travelled to Eastern Hanzen today to speak with local leaders and ensure that communities are prepared for an influx of refugees as a result of the instability of Bianjie's regime and the upcoming Security Council intervention in the region. King Khemkhaeng has celebrated the cooperation between Thanavada and Kitembo Daenist temples and monasteries as they contribute to the humanitarian effort.

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Originally posted by Wu Han on May 09, 2020.

[Wu Han]

King Khemkhaeng and Queen Busarakham express gratitude to Yingala, Vanuku
In their own ways, the Royal Family has endeavoured to convey their gratitude toward Yingdala and Vanuku after receiving substantial support from the two allies
1 May 4754


Above: Her Royal Majesty Queen Busarakham embroiders a silk garment destined for the Empress of Yingdala (left); His Royal Majesty King Khemkhaeng is photographed while deployed along
the Hanzen-Kimlien border with a firearm donated by Vanuku.

After receiving substantial military and economic aid from Yingdala and Vanuku, the King and Queen are seeking ways by which to express their appreciation on behalf of a grateful nation. Vanuku has sent a massive amount of military materiel at next to no cost for the Kingdom, while the Yingdalans have provided naval vessels, aircraft, and technical expertise to the Royal Armed Forces, in addition to conducting a number of joint military exercises.

Speaking with Phra Rath for just a short while, Her Royal Majesty the Queen revealed that she was hand-embroidering silk garments for the Empress of Yingdala and the Queen of Vanuku respectively. "With a heart filled with humility, I wish to convey my sincere gratitude to our two closest allies," said Her Royal Majesty. "I hope that this small and trivial gift will accomplish that aim."

Her Royal Majesty disclosed that she was using silk initially gifted by His Imperial Majesty Emperor Yu Li of Yingdala during the King's state visit to that country in 4743: "I pray that [the Empress] shall not find this regifting distasteful, for I could think of no greater expression of the unity between our peoples than to embroider upon this divine fabric and share it with the two ladies."

Alternatively, His Royal Majesty the King has decided to deploy alongside soldiers in the Royal Army to personally train with the Yingdalan and Vanukean arms. His Royal Majesty is reportedly quite fond of the simple yet rugged Vanukean tanks, having first driven one during a military drill near the southern border with Kimlien. However, having spent his military service in the Royal Air Force, it is said that King Khemkhaeng is equally eager to train with the fighter aircrafts granted by Yingdala.

"His Royal Majesty wishes to express his appreciation to his brother-in-law, as well as his good friend in Vanuku, by personally training with the materiel so graciously transferred to the Royal Armed Forces," read a statement provided by Nueng Sagarik, Secretary to the Bureau of the Royal Household. "In all that he undertakes, the King acts with a singular motivation: to ensure the prosperity and security of his people."

Of course, the Peacock Throne acts in concert with the elected government, which has been exploring opportunities for greater economic integration with the two countries. Prime Minister Kamon Thongyai has announced a series of reforms aimed at facilitating greater protection for Yingdalan and Vanukean investors who wish to capitalize on the Kingdom's growing economy. PM Thongyai has argued vociferously on the floor of the People's House in favour of foreign direct investment from its allies, firmly rejecting any intimation that such investments jeopardize the Kingdom's economic sovereignty.

"His Royal Majesty and His Imperial Majesty share a familial bond!" stated the Prime Minister in a testy exchange with Opposition Leader Sanit Phamornsut (Orchid Society), "Bonds of blood cannot be trampled, nor so easily disregarded. In all that they have done, have the Yingdalans and Vanukeans not demonstrated a commitment to the security and sovereignty of Hanzen?"

To the Prime Minister's question, the Hanzenese people have firmly responded affirmatively. According to the latest opinion polling conducted by Phra Rath in association with the Udon Nakhon Statistics Society, 86% of Hanzenese view Yingdala as a positive force in the world, and 78% of respondents affirming the same with regard to Vanuku.

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Originally posted by Wu Han on May 19, 2020.