King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose name means "Strength of the Earth and Unparalleled Power," ruled Thailand for 70 years under the dynastic name Rama IX.
He was the longest-reigning monarch in the history of the Thai monarchy and the second longest-reigning monarch in the world after Louis XIV.
But on Sunday, June 12, 2022, the Queen of England, on the throne for 70 years, broke King Rama IX's longevity record, having the second longest reign in history.
2016 marked the 70th anniversary of his accession to the throne and the 66th anniversary of his coronation.
He died on Thursday, October 13, 2016.
He was also one of the most revered monarchs.
His image as a king of great morality and deep devotion to his people, and the political intelligence he repeatedly demonstrated, gave him considerable authority and political weight.
Menu
Birth, youth and study
King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX, was born on December 5, 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 World War II.
He actually reigned for only a few months under the name of Rama VIII and died, in tragic and controversial circumstances, in a gun accident 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 Bachelor's degree (literature).
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 June 9, 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 new period of study, but this time to train in political and legal sciences in order to equip himself with the knowledge necessary to govern.
Coronation of the King of Thailand
In 1950 (May 5), when he was only 23 years old, Rama IX returned to the country for his coronation and married 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 with justice, for the benefit and happiness of the Siamese people."
Rama IX, a king who listened to his people
The King of Thailand then traveled endlessly throughout the country, visiting communities even in the most remote areas (making him the most traveled king in Thai history), to learn 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 to them attentively, seeking with them the means to resolve their daily problems!
The Royal Family
The royal couple had four children:
- Princess Ubol Ratana Rajakanya, born on April 5, 1951, who lost her Royal Highness (Chao Fa) title when she married a foreigner: Peter Ladd Jensen
- HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn , born 28 July 1952 (new king)
- HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn , born 2 April 1955
- HRH Princess Chulabhorn, born 4 July 1957
The King, the Queen and the Four Children
Rama IX and the different governments
His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej works very hard and will manage with incredible skill the different governments (21 prime ministers), the numerous coups d'état (around fifteen...) and the consequences that result from them, inspiring an ever greater respect among the population.
It was he, among others, who in 1973 announced live on television that the "Thanon" government was resigning, which had the immediate consequence of calming the students who were ready to do anything...
In 1981, it was he who ensured that "General Prem" remained in power, then in 1992, he called on the two sworn enemies, "General Suchinda" and "General Chamlong" to reconcile...
The king restores order during "Black May"
Rama IX: an active king
In May 2006, he received the "HUMAN NATION DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME" award from Kofi Annan (Secretary General of the United Nations) for his particularly appreciated contribution to the poorest and most vulnerable people regardless of their status, origin or religion.
He listened to their problems and did his best to try to help them without "assisting" them - by emphasizing small-scale agriculture, appropriate technologies, sustainable use of water resources, and flood and drought control.
These projects have brought benefits to millions of people in rural areas. It is not for nothing that he is nicknamed the king of sustainable development .
The King of Thailand's development projects
A mutual love
Through his actions and numerous development projects, Bhumibol Adulyadej has proven that he loves his country and its people and in return, he has enjoyed immense esteem from the Thai population.
The length of his reign, his constant interest in the development of disadvantaged areas of the kingdom, his conciliatory and wise action during the numerous military coups he had to go through, explain this devotion which places him among the most venerated sovereigns in the company of his grandfather, King Chulalongkorn Rama V.
Yellow polo shirt in homage to the king
When the land of smiles turned into the land of tears
On Thursday, October 13, 2016, after years of battling illness, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej passed away.
Although everyone expected this to happen, as he was old and very ill, his disappearance came as a terrible shock to a large part of the population.
In the days following his death, cries and tears erupted, and Thais, who were so reserved about their feelings, struggled to hide their deep sadness.
Procession for the king at the Grand Palace in Bangkok
This Friday, Thais dressed in black and white (two colors of mourning in Asia) to mourn their king.
The inventions and projects of the King of Thailand
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 received the prize offered to 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 decontamination.
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 gave very satisfactory results for farmers who had less “pressure” on their shoulders during major periods of drought – techniques now used in other foreign countries with just as much success.
– MOISTURE RETENTION DAM PROJECT: In order to “make profitable” the annual rainfall during the monsoon, the project consisted of regulating the dams by creating small reservoirs intended to store the water when it is not in use.
– ROYAL HILLTRIBE PROJECTS: Since 1969, the King of Thailand has implemented a program to help the people (especially the hill tribes) in the north of the country by raising awareness and training them in various manual jobs and trades for better prospects.
– PASAK DAM PROJECT: A gigantic project still in favor of farmers, but this time in the center of the country in order to make the most of the water flowing over these lands, but also to prevent possible flooding downstream, particularly in Bangkok !
– VITIVER GRASS: To reduce the effects of erosion, His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej launched a specific program based on “vetiver” known to reduce and stabilize soils.
This systematic application has made it possible to increase productivity while conserving water, which remains as precious as ever.
– CHAIPATTANA AERATOR: Invented in February 1993, it is in reality a simple boat or inflatable raft which allows aeration and treatment of wastewater, but which also allows the oxygenation of certain rivers.
– RAMA VIII BRIDGE: No need to introduce this bridge which now spans the Chao Praya and which has helped to ease some of the congestion caused by ever-increasing traffic in this part of the city (Rattanakosin and Dusit), this building has since become one of the city's emblems.
– MONKEY CHEEKS PROJECT: It was by observing the monkeys who always try to put as much food as possible aside (for the “off” days) that His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej decided to build canals (natural this time!) not far from the coast in order to always and still conserve water.
– PAK PHANANG PROJECT: This area, located not far from Nakhon Si Thammarat, constitutes approximately 1092 million Rai (!!) and was still considered until recently the first production area for rice in the south of the country –
In 1978, the area was "devastated" following misuse of natural resources and very poor management of the population, which continued to grow.
This entire area has become prone to flooding and flooding, but remains affected by a severe water shortage during the dry season...
In 1998, the King of Thailand, in cooperation with the "Irrigation Department", decided to try to stem this problem by setting up this retention basin on the "Pak" River and by helping local populations find ways to process local agricultural products in order to obtain additional income.
– KLAENG DIN PROJECT: A technique that allows us to control the acidity that soils often require and which, after many years, has allowed us to considerably reduce the pH!
It was while traveling in the southern provinces that the King of Thailand realized that once the water was drained, the soil became highly acidic and was therefore harmful to the consumption of vegetables or rice...
This project was launched in Narathiwat province in 1981.
The process involves releasing water into reservoirs and storing it before releasing it again, allowing periods of drought and "flood" to alternate almost at will.
By repeating these steps, we obtain a succession of 4 seasons of rain and drought.
– RENEWABLE ENERGY: Long before the appearance of biofuel, the King of Thailand had already foreseen and anticipated the problems that his country would encounter by launching a research program on the possibilities of renewable energies with, among other things, the development of palm oil which today makes companies happy since this “biofuel” has become almost as common as oil in car tanks!
Anecdotes about Rama IX
In his youth, his nickname was Lek (which means: small, because of his height).
He saved the pocket money his parents gave him.
He loved growing fruits and vegetables in the garden.
He had as pets 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 is already very gifted in music: piano, guitar, saxophone (his first instrument was the accordion).
Around the age of 14, passionate about music, he bought a second-hand saxophone for 300 CHF (half paid for by his mother).
At 18, he composed his first song entitled: "Seng Tian", he currently has 48 compositions.
He arrives 3 hours late for his first meeting 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, and since then he has had a glass eye in its place.
In general, the King of Thailand does not like to wear jewelry (ring, necklace, etc.), only a watch.
The 3 things he always takes with him when he travels: a map, a camera and a pencil.
He is a simple king who prefers to carry out the small daily tasks himself.
He speaks 6 languages: Thai, Latin, French, English, German and Spanish, he likes French TV news, but also written newspapers like: Times, Newsweek, Asiaweek, etc.
He uses an average of one pencil a month. He has had the same pencil sharpener for 50 years.
He is very interested in weather reports and their smallest parameters.
The King of Thailand funded the fight against polio and leprosy, notably through a film he directed. He wrote three books: "Nai in," "Tito," and "Pramaha Chanok" (which was a huge success and later made into a movie).
He loves sports, his favorites being badminton, skiing and sailing (a discipline in which he won the gold medal at the Southeast 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 around twenty of them, all of which have provided a concrete benefit and contributed to the rural development of the country.
Video interview of the King and Queen in French
As you will see in 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 European capitals.
It was during this stay, when they settled 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
King Bhumibol Adulyadej has passed away, Thailand is in mourning
Source: wikipedia.org ; ambafrance-th.org/ ; siamlife.blog4ever.com/
Prepare your trip to Thailand
Book bus, train, or boat in Thailand
Manage your money while traveling with Wise
If our news, tourist information, or cultural content has been useful to you and you'd like to thank us:
You can follow us on:
Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google News
Or install our app:
Install the Toute la Thaïlande app on your smartphone
⚠️ Cryptocurrencies involve risks: Invest only what you are willing to lose.
2 comments
Hello, and thank you very much for writing this article about my king Rama IX, I am Thai and I translated this document into Thai on my blog .
Hello Noprawan,
Glad that this article is useful to you, you were brave, it's a great translation job!
I just corrected a little and rearranged the titles.