His Majesty King Bhumibol

• His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty. Born in December, 1927, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where his father, His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol of Songkhla was studying medicine at Harvard University, H.M. King Bhumibol ascended the throne in 1946 and is already the longest reigning Thai monarch. As a constitutional monarch, he maintains neutrality at times of crisis.
  
  

• Thai people have a deep and traditional reverence for the Royal Family. To a very large degree, H.M. King Bhumibol's popularity mirrors his deep interest in his people's welfare. He concerns himself intimately with every aspect of Thai life. He and his wife, H.M. Queen Sirikit devote much of their time to inspect and improve the welfare of the people.
  
  

• In a cinema, for example, a portrait of the King is shown during the playing of the royal anthem, and the audience is expected to stand. When attending some public event at which a member of the Royal Family is present, the best guide as to how to behave is probably to watch the crowd and do what it does.
  
  

• In 1995-1996, we celebrated the Golden Jubilee (50 years of reign) of His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej, which was marked by major events and royal ceremonies as throughout the country we rejoiced in this very special occasion.

Top