Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) is the ninth monarch of the Chakri dynasty. In the history of Thailand, he is the longest-reigning. King Bhumibol is considered by many to be the father of the entire nation, the patron of democracy, the soul and heart of the people. This monarch is an important figure in both history and everyday life in Thailand. He earned the respect not only of his people, but of the whole world.
Family
Bhumibol Adulyadej was born on December 5, 1927 in the USA, in the state of Massachusetts, in the city of Cambridge. His father was Prince Mahidol Songkl. He was studying medicine at Cambridge at the time his son was born.
After returning to Siam (now Thailand), Mahidol died. At that time, his son was not yet two years old. Bhumibol's mother, Mom Sangwal, was at first simply the wife of the monarch, but then she was given a higher title - Mother of Thailand. In the family, Bhumibol was the third and youngest child.
Study
Bhumibol graduated from the regular Thai high school first. Then he continued his studies in Switzerland. There he studied French, German andEnglish languages, law and political science. He intended to become an engineer. But fate decreed otherwise.
Ascension to the throne
At the age of 19, Bhumibol came to Thailand. Only a few months passed, and his older brother was overtaken by a sudden death. As a result, on June 9, 1946, Bhumibol accepted the throne. The coronation procedure took place on May 5, 1950. Bhumibol became the 9th monarch in the Chakri dynasty and took the name Rama IX. Prior to his coronation, he studied law and political science in Switzerland.
The young monarch arrived just for the ceremony, to take the traditional oath. Then he went back to Switzerland to finish his studies. He finally returned to Thailand only in 1951. And in 1956, according to Buddhist traditions, he accepted a temporary monastic dignity.
Accident
On November 4, 1948, Bhumibol was in a car accident. At that moment he was driving along the Geneva-Lausanne highway. As a result, he severely injured his back, lost sight in one eye, and his whole face was cut with glass fragments. Therefore, after the accident, King Bhumibol Adulyadej was photographed exclusively in dark glasses. American journalists even gave him an offensive nickname - bespectacled Bhumibol. Although it was not accepted by society and was soon forgotten.
Bhumibol Adulyadej: children and personal life
King Bhumibol met Princess Sirikit in Switzerland. Their wedding took place in the spring of 1950. Now they are a royal couple. They had four children. Three daughters and one son.
Coup d'état
Bhumibol Adulyadej, biographywho, from her youth, was already connected with the throne and power, could always influence the critical moments that sometimes occur in the country in a timely manner. For example, in 2006, a difficult and crisis situation developed in Thailand. Because of the confrontation between the prime minister of the country and the opposition. They boycotted the elections. Bhumibol took their side and the Prime Minister's victory was annulled by the constitutional court.
Until 2006, there were 17 coups d'état in Thailand. Further after the 18th coup, the military junta toppled Prime Minister Thaksin and promised to return all power to the people. Outside observers decided that these events took place with the consent of Bhumibol (only silent), given his huge popularity in the country. As an interim government, the king approved General Sonthi, who participated in the overthrow of Thaksin.
Bhumibol's attitude towards his subjects
The tradition of close communication with subjects was started by Rama V. During his reign, Bhumibol Adulyadej supports this direction. Bhumibol tries to always be aware of the moods and problems of his subjects. They return him with devotion and love.
In an interview that Bhumibol once gave to Danish journalists, the king said that history had never interested him, and the monarch did not seek to ex alt. For him, from the very beginning of his accession to the throne, the main thing was the happiness and peace of his subjects.
The words are beautiful, and were spoken not just for the sake of ambition. King Bhumibol really cares about hispeople. First of all, about the safety of people and the exclusion of wars. King Bhumibol constantly visits even the most remote settlements located in the countryside. The Thai monarch prefers to know first hand about the needs and problems of his subjects. He travels around the country, looks at the situation himself and does not believe the word of officials.
King Bhumibol and his projects
Having traveled all over his country (even the most distant villages), Bhumibol Adulyadej (whose photo can be seen in this article) tries, if possible, to help his subjects not only with advice. The king has developed over a thousand new projects that have served for the benefit of his people.
Bhumibol is the first of the monarchs to receive patents for his inventions. For example, the monarch independently invented a way to artificially call rains. Or - an aerator, which is still widely used in the agricultural and industrial sectors of the country.
The Royal Flower Project is also spread throughout Thailand. Flowers growing all over Thailand are planted by order of the monarch. In this way, Bhumibol is trying to encourage his people to stop growing opium.
The State of the King
Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose fortune is estimated at 35 billion dollars, does not spend a penny from the state treasury on the maintenance of the royal family. Every year a portion of the money goes to charity. Dollars from his personal fortune are transferred to hospitals and othersocially significant institutions and projects. Thus, the king does not have any official salary.
One of the richest people in the world is King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. The Forbes list included him in the TOP-14 of the we althiest and most famous. The king spends his vast fortune prudently. For the development of agriculture in the country, the king personally developed over 3,000 projects.
In addition to the above, Bhumibol owns a famous and expensive collection of precious stones. In the world, it has become widely known and significantly increases the fortune of the king, above the previously named figure. Specific data on its cost were not disclosed.
Religion and the King
Buddhism is the state religion in Thailand. Bhumibol personally sets an example of devotion to the Buddha. According to tradition, all young people in Thailand in their youth go to monasteries for a short period of time. Bhumibol made no exception for himself. He became a monk in 1956 and, like everyone else, dressed in saffron, begged on the streets of Bangkok.
The Thai constitution states that monarchs must patronize all religions, not just Buddhism. Therefore, Bhumibol pays equal attention to any religion, regardless of the religion of his subjects.
Bhumibol's talents
King Bhumibol Adulyadej is not only skilled in politics. He also has a number of other talents. And they help the monarch in running the country. Bhumibol showed a talent for engineering. Thanks to this, the king was able to create a systemland reclamation, which is widely used throughout the country.
Talent in the field of photography also turned out to be not "buried in the ground." The works of the king of Thailand, Bhumibol, are shown at exhibitions even in foreign countries. In his youth, the monarch was fond of music, and even wrote it himself. Jazz was the best. One of these compositions took 1st place on Broadway among other musical productions.
Board
The Kingdom of Thailand has a constitutional monarchy established since 1932. The monarch and his family are considered inviolable. Any criticism of the royal family is prohibited. For this, you can go to jail for up to 15 years. The minimum term is three years.
December 5, King Bhumibol's birthday, is considered a national holiday. It is celebrated widely. There are festive processions, various concerts and many other entertainment events taking place on the streets.
Thus, the subjects of Thailand express their love and devotion to King Bhumibol. Houses are decorated with flowers, flags and portraits of the king. Religious ceremonies are held in Buddhist monasteries. All the people of Thailand pray on this day for the Gods to give Bhumibol he alth, strength and happiness.
Thanks to the attention and care that the king has always shown to his subjects, he remains in power longer than all previous rulers of Thailand, and is still on the throne, despite his advanced age.
