King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose name means "strength of the earth and unrivalled power", ruled Thailand for 70 years under the dynastic name Rama IX. ruled Thailand for 70 years under the dynastic name of Rama IX.
He was the longest reigning monarch in the history of the Thai monarchy and second only to Louis XIV in the world's monarchies.
But on Sunday 12 June 2022, the Queen of England, who has been on the throne for 70 years, broke King Rama IX's longevity record by having the second longest reign in history.
2016 marked the 70th anniversary of his accession to the throne and 66th anniversary of his coronation.
He died on Thursday 13 October 2016.
He was also one of the most revered monarchs.
His image as a king of great morality and devotion to his people, and the political intelligence he repeatedly displayed, gave him considerable authority and political weight.
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Birth, youth and study
King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX, was born on 5 December 1927 at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
The king's mother and her children (the king is in the middle)
In 1933, he followed his mother to Lausanne (Switzerland) with his brother, Prince Ananda Mahidol and his elder sister, Princess Galyani Vadhana.
The child king with his brother and sister
In 1935, his brother Prince Ananda, then aged 10, was called to the throne, but he did not return to Thailand until the end of the Second World War.
He reigned for only a few months under the name of Rama VIII and disappeared, in tragic and controversial circumstances, in an accident with a firearm in the royal palace.
Prince Bhumibol studied in Switzerland, first at the École Nouvelle de la Suisse Romande (Chailly sur Lausanne) and later at the Cantonal School of Lausanne where he obtained his Bachelors degree (letters).
He then chose to enter the University of Lausanne to study science, but the sudden death of his elder brother, King Ananda Mahidol, in Bangkok on 9 June 1946 changed the course of his life.
Before taking over, and as he had not completed his studies, His Majesty decided to return to Switzerland for a further period of study, but this time to train in Political and Legal Sciences in order to equip himself with the necessary knowledge to govern.
Coronation of the King of Thailand
In 1950 (5 May), when he was only 23 years old, Rama IX returned home for his coronation and married the Princess Sirikit Kitiyakorn.
The coronation of the King of Thailand
the King and Queen of Thailand
At his coronation, His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej took the oath:
"We must rule justly, for the benefit and happiness of the Siamese people.
Rama IX, a king who listens to his people
The King of Thailand then went on to travel the length and breadth of the country, visiting communities in even the most remote areas (making him the most well-travelled king in Thai history) to find out how to improve the lives of his people.
The King in Thai villages
When he arrived in the villages, the King of Thailand was received with astonishment by the villagers. He asked them to tell him about their living conditions and listened attentively to them, seeking with them the means to solve their daily problems!
The Royal Family
The royal couple had four children:
- Princess Ubol Ratana Rajakanya, born on 5 April 1951, who lost her predicate of Royal Highness (Chao Fa) when she married a foreigner: Peter Ladd Jensen
- S.A.R. Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkornborn 28 July 1952 (new king)
- S.A.R. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhornborn on 2 April 1955
- HRH Princess Chulabhorn, born on 4 July 1957
The king, the queen and the four children
Rama IX and the various governments
His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej worked very hard and managed with incredible skill the different governments (21 prime ministers), the numerous coups d'états (about fifteen) and the consequences that followed, inspiring ever greater respect among the population.
In 1973, he announced on live television that the Thanon government was resigning, which immediately calmed down the students who were ready to do anything...
In 1981, he ensured that "General Prem" remained in power, and in 1992, he called on the two sworn enemies, "General Suchinda" and "General Chamlong" to reconcile...
The king restores order during the "black may".
Rama IX: an active king
In May 2006 he was awarded the HUMAN NATION DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME prize by Kofi Annan (UN Secretary General) for his particularly valuable contribution to the poorest and most vulnerable people regardless of their status, origin or religion.
It has listened to their problems and has done its utmost to try to help them without 'assisting' them - focusing on small-scale agriculture, appropriate technologies, sustainable use of water resources, flood and drought control.
These projects have brought benefits to millions of people in rural areas. It is not for nothing that he is known as the king of sustainability.
The King of Thailand's development projects
A mutual love
Through his actions and numerous development projects, Bhumibol Adulyadej proved that he loved his country and his people, and in return, he was held in high esteem by the Thai people.
The length of his reign, his constant interest in the development of the kingdom's disadvantaged areas, his conciliatory and wise action during the many military coups he had to endure, explain this devotion which places him among the most revered sovereigns in the company of his grandfather, King Chulalongkorn Rama V.
Yellow polo shirt in honour of the king
When the land of smiles turned into the land of tears
On Thursday 13 October 2016, after years of battling illness, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej passed away.
Even though everyone expected this to happen, as he was elderly and very ill, his death came as a terrible shock to a large part of the population.
In the days following his death, the Thai people, so modest about their feelings, found it difficult to hide their deep sadness.
Procession for the King at the Grand Palace in Bangkok
On Friday, Thais dressed in black and white (two colours of mourning in Asia) to mourn their king.
The King of Thailand's inventions and projects
The King has received numerous awards at international exhibitions such as the 49th World Exhibition of Invention, Research and Industrial Innovation "Brussels Eureka" where he was awarded the prize for the best creation presented by an inventor from a developing country in 2000, for the invention of the "Chaipattana Low Speed Surface Aerator, model RX-2", a device used for water purification.
His creations range from the development of water purification devices to the discovery of alternative energy sources.
Some of the King of Thailand's projects (there are over 3,300!)
- ROYAL RAIN PROJECT : Since 1971, experiments have proven that the technique of watering from the sky using specially designed aircraft has given very satisfactory results for farmers who have less "pressure" on their shoulders during periods of severe drought - techniques now used in other countries with equal success.
- MOISTURE RETENTION DAM PROJECT: In order to 'monetise' the annual rainfall during the monsoon season, the project involved regulating the dams by creating small reservoirs to store water when it is not in use.
- ROYAL HILLTRIBE PROJECTS: Since 1969, the King of Thailand has set up a programme to help the people (especially the hill tribes) in the north of the country by raising their awareness and training them in various manual jobs and trades to improve their prospects.
- PASAK DAM PROJECT : A gigantic project still in favour of farmers, but this time in the centre of the country in order to make the best use of the water flowing on this land, but also to prevent possible floods downstream, in particular in Bangkok !
- VITIVER GRASS: To reduce the effects of erosion, His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej has launched a specific programme based on "vetiver" known to reduce and stabilise soil.
This systematic application has increased productivity while conserving valuable water.
- CHAIPATTANA AERATOR: Invented in February 1993, this is actually a simple boat or inflatable raft that allows for aeration and treatment of waste water, but also oxygenates certain rivers.
- RAMA VIII BRIDGE : No need to present this bridge which now spans the Chao Praya and which has helped to relieve some of the traffic congestion in this part of the city (Rattanakosin and Dusit), this building has since become one of the city's emblems.
- MONKEY CHEEKS PROJECT: It is by observing the monkeys which always try to put aside as much food as possible (for the days "without") that his Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej decided the construction of channels (natural this time!) not far from the coasts in order to always and still to preserve water.
- PAK PHANANG PROJECT: This area, located not far from Nakhon Si Thammarat, constitutes about 1092 million Rai (!!) and was until recently considered the first rice production area in the south of the country.
In 1978, the area was "stricken" due to poor use of natural resources and very poor management of the growing population.
This whole area has become prone to flooding and high water, but is still affected by a severe water shortage during the dry season...
In 1998, the King of Thailand, in cooperation with the "Department of Irrigation", decided to try to alleviate this problem by setting up this retention basin on the "Pak" river and by helping the local population to find ways of processing local agricultural products in order to obtain additional income.
- KLAENG DIN PROJECT : A technique that allows to control the acidity that soils often require and that after many years has allowed to reduce the Ph considerably!
While travelling in the southern provinces, the King of Thailand realised that once the water had been drained, the soil became highly acidic and thus unsuitable for eating vegetables or rice...
This project was launched in 1981 in Narathiwat province;
The process involves releasing water into reservoirs and storing it before releasing it again, allowing periods of drought and 'flooding' to alternate almost at will.
By repeating these steps, a succession of 4 rainy and dry seasons is achieved.
- RENEWABLE ENERGY: Well before the appearance of biofuel, the King of Thailand had already foreseen and anticipated the problems that his country would face by launching a research programme on the possibilities of renewable energies with, among other things, the development of palm oil, which is today the delight of companies since this "biofuel" has become almost as common as petrol in car tanks!
Anecdotes about Rama IX
In his youth, his nickname is Lek (which means: small, because of his height).
He saved the pocket money his parents gave him.
He enjoyed growing fruit and vegetables in the garden.
His pets included a dog, a rabbit, a chicken, a monkey and a snake (a ceremony was even held for the death of his snake).
At the age of 8, he bought his first camera, a "Coconet Midget".
He wore his first pair of glasses at the age of 10.
He speaks French with his brother and sister, but Thai with his parents.
He wanted a bicycle, and his mother encouraged him to save up for one.
He was already very gifted in music: piano, guitar, saxophone (his first instrument was the accordion).
At the age of 14, fascinated by music, he bought a second-hand saxophone for 300 CHF (half paid by his mother).
At the age of 18, he composed his first song entitled: "Seng Tian", he has 48 compositions to date.
He arrives three hours late for his first appointment with the woman who will become his wife, the Queen of Thailand.
He spent his honeymoon with the Queen in Hua Hin.
At the age of 20, he lost his right eye in a car accident in Switzerland, since when he has had a glass eye instead.
In general, the King of Thailand does not like to wear jewellery (ring, necklace,...), only a watch.
The 3 things he always takes with him on his trips: a map, a camera and a pencil.
He is a simple king who prefers to do the small tasks of daily life himself.
He speaks 6 languages: Thai, Latin, French, English, German and Spanish, he likes the French TV news, but also the written newspapers like: Times, Newsweek, Asiaweek, etc...
He uses an average of one pencil per month. He has had the same tailor for 50 years.
He takes a close interest in weather reports, and in every parameter of them.
The King of Thailand financed the fight against polio and leprosy, thanks in particular to a film he made. He wrote 3 books: "Nai in", "Tito" and "Pramaha Chanok" (which was a great success and was later made into a film).
Ile loves sports, his favourites being badminton, skiing and sailing (where he won the gold medal at the South East Asian Games in 1967).
This genius inventor obtained his first patent for a system designed to remedy water shortages during the dry season.
Today, there are about twenty of them, all of which have brought concrete benefits and contributed to the rural development of the country.
Video interview with the King and Queen in French
As you will see on this video, the King and Queen speak French well, Bhumibol Adulyadej lived in Switzerland from the age of 5 to 23.
In 1961, the monarch, his wife Sirikit and their four children spent more than six months in the canton of Vaud, from where they toured the European capitals.
It was during this stay, while they were staying in the Villa du Flonzaley in Puidoux-Chexbres, that they were interviewed by a Swiss journalist from RTS:
Some songs in tribute to the King of Thailand
The photo in all the houses of Bird Tongchai
Another one with many pictures of his life
See also :
When the King of Thailand met Elvis Presley, the king of rock 'n' roll
The king of sustainable development is Thai
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