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Bhumibol was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the United States. After a brief period of primary schooling in Bangkok, he left from the age of six with the rest of his family for Switzerland where he continued his secondary education at the Ecole Nouvelle de la Suisse Romande , in Chailly-sur-Lausanne and received the Baccalauréat ès lettres (high-school diploma with major in French litterature, Latin, and Greek) from the Gymnase Classique Cantonal of Lausanne. He received his university education at the University of Lausanne where he studied law and political science.
Upon the mysterious death (possibly murder) of his older brother Ananda Mahidol (King Rama VIII), he acceded to the throne on June 9, 1946. However he first continued his education. His uncle, Prince Rangsit , became Prince Regent, until Bhumibol was officially crowned as King Rama IX on May 5May 5 is the 125th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (126th in leap years). There are 240 days remaining. There are usually 92 days in Spring. We are considered halfway through Spring on May 5. Events 1640 King Charles I of England disbands the Sh, 1950Events January January 5 US Senator Estes Kefauver introduces a resolution calling for examination of organized crime in the USA January 6 The United Kingdom recognizes the People's Republic of China. The Republic of China severs diplomatic relations with. A few days before, on April 28April 28 is the 118th day of the year (119th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 247 days remaining. Events 1788 Maryland becomes the 7th state to ratify the Constitution of the United States. 1789 Mutiny on the HMAV Bounty''. Captain William B, he married Mom Rajawongse Sirikit KitiyakaraHer Majesty Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitiyakara (born August 12, 1932), better known as Queen Sirikit of Thailand is the wife and Queen Consort of Bhumibol Adulyadej, King Rama IX of Thailand. Queen Sirikit is the daughter of His Highness Prince Chandaburi, a relative of the royal family. They have four children:
During the early years of his reign Bhumibol had little power and was little more than a ceremonial front for the various authoritatian regimes which had run Thailand since the military coup of 1932. Neverthless he commanded respect among the Thai people, who view the monarchy in a semi-religious light, and admire his hands-on approach in helping Thailand's rural poor. This he managed by thoroughly touring the various different corners of the country and by installing various medical aid and agricultural projects. But in 1973 Bhumibol asserted himself by making it clear he favoured an end to Thanom Kittikachorn's military regime and the establishment of democracy.
Bhumibol has nevertheless not been a constitutional monarch in the western sense, and has frequently played a political role. In 1976 he supported a return to military rule under Kriangsak Chomanand , and later supported the regimes of Prem Tinsulanonda and Chatichai Choonhavan . In 1992, however, he played a key role in the transition to a fully democratic system when he insisted in a televised confrontation that General Suchinda Kraprayoon , head of Thailand's last military regime, resign.
As a result, Bhumibol has become identified as a hero of democracy, adding greatly to his already enormous prestige. Being at the throne for more than 50 years, few Thais can remember or imagine any other head of state. Bhumibol's image is prominently displayed all over the country, including on every coin and banknote. Thais take any suggestion of disrespect for the King, by Thais or foreigners, very seriously. On May 5, 1987, he received, by popular national referendum, the honorary title the Great.
| Preceded by: Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) | Kings of Thailand | Succeeded by: - - |