Bhumibol Adulyadej (b. 1927)

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Biography

Bhumibol Adulyadej, titled Rama IX, was King of Thailand from 9 June 1946 until his death in 2016. His reign of 70 years and 126 days is the longest of any Thai monarch, the longest on record of any independent Asian sovereign, and the third-longest of any sovereign state.

Timeline

The story of Bhumibol Adulyadej, told in moments.

1946 Event

Became king at 18 after his brother Ananda Mahidol was found shot dead in the palace. The death was never satisfactorily explained. Three palace attendants were eventually executed.

How did your brother's unexplained death shape your first day as king at eighteen? Was the explanation ever satisfying?

1992 Event

Summoned the leaders of a military coup and pro-democracy protests to appear before him on live television. Both sides were kneeling. The crisis ended. The military stepped down.

What was it like summoning both sides of a crisis to kneel before you on live television? Was that moment the definition of monarchical power?

2016 Death

Died at 88 after a long illness. He'd reigned for 70 years, the longest in Thai history and among the longest of any monarch anywhere. Thailand went into a year of mourning. Five million people visited his funeral.

Does seventy years on a throne feel like service or endurance? What does five million people at your funeral tell you about your reign?

In Their Own Words (1)

Sufficiency means to lead a reasonably comfortable life, without excess, or overindulgence in luxury, but enough. Some things may seem to be extravagant, but if it brings happiness, it is permissible as long as it is within the means of the individual. This is another interpretation of the sufficiency economy or system. Last year, when I mentioned the word sufficiency, I mentally translated it and actually spelled it out as self-sufficiency; that is why I said sufficiency for the individual. In fact, this sufficiency economy has a wider meaning than just self-sufficiency. Self-sufficiency means that the individual produces the things to fulfill his own needs without having to purchase them from others; the individual can live entirely on his own.

Artifacts (14)

Coronation of Bhumibol, 1950

Unknown authorUnknown author

1950-05-05

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Phāpthāi fīphrahat phatthanā prathēt

Reproduction of the photographs by Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand, b. 1927, covering his family and socioeconomic conditions of Thailand with text on the pictures.

1992

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Lāo tō̜n tai

Travel diary, Laos, April 8-11, 1996.

1996

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เรื่องทองแดง

The life story and characteristics of the king's dog Tongdaeng, as told by the king himself.

2002

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กษัตริยานุสรณ์

A poetic eulogy for King Rama I and photos of Princess Sirindhorn.

2005

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Turning to him I may at least indulge in hope; looking on Adams I must despair.

hat he would not seek to spend as much federal money on internal improvements as Adams. Of Jackson, he wrote, "Turning to him I may at least indulge in hope; looking on Adams I must despair." When the...

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in so poor a condition as to require a charitable donation from Congress

uld construct necessary projects within its borders using locally generated funds. Virginia was not "in so poor a condition as to require a charitable donation from Congress", he contended. He was...

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Pramūan phrarātchadamrat læ phrabō̜rommarāchōwāt thī phrarātchathān nai ʻōkāt tāng tāng

Chiefly speeches of Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand, b. 1927, delivered on various occasions; volume one, cremation volume for Čhitti Sučharitkun, 1907-1970.

1970

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ประพาสอุทยาน: Phrarātchaniphon nai Somdet Phra Thēprattana Rātchasudā " ..." Sayāmbō'rom Rātchakumārī

On the author's trip to Great Britain and Switzerland in 1993.

1995

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Thailand: King Bhumibol Adulyadej : the Golden Jubilee, 1946-1996

1996

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Rư̄ang Thō̜ngdǣng: The story of Tongdaeng : biography of a pet dog

2002

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Education of the Disadvantaged: A Lecture

2004

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Speeches by His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej and His Excellency President Ngo Dinh Diem

1959

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The Royal Speeches and Addresses of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand

1984

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