Updates? At the time of his death, Adulyadej was world's longest-serving head of state and the longest-reigning monarch in Thai history. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 First Edition with your subscription. Throughout the 70-year reign of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, around 4,877 royal projects in various fields were initiated to reduce development gaps nationwide. Bhumibol Adulyadej (known as Phumiphon Adunlayadet or King Rama IX) was born on December 5, 1927, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, into the royal family of Thailand. While most projects were financially supported by the government, many of … Chumsak Kanoknan / Stringer / Getty Images. He married a distant cousin, Sirikit Kitiyakara, in April 1950 and was formally crowned on May 5, 1950. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com: accessed ), memorial page for Mahidol Adulyadej (1 Jan 1892–24 Sep 1929), Find a Grave Memorial no. 57726952, citing Royal Cemetery, Bangkok (Krung Thep Maha Nakhon), Bangkok (Krung Thep Maha Nakhon), Thailand ; Maintained by Chris Nelson (contributor 46617359) . Bhumibol Adulyadej (December 5, 1927–October 13, 2016) was the king of Thailand for 70 years. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Learn definitions, uses, and phrases with bhumibol. The demonstrations known as Black May turned into riots, and the police and military were rumored to be dividing into factions. Occupations. In the aftermath of the massacre, Admiral Sangad Chaloryu staged yet another coup and took power. He also made many public appearances around Thailand, significantly reviving the prestige of the throne. The newly crowned king had very little actual power. He lost his right eye and suffered a painful back injury. Bhumibol's image as an advocate for the people, reluctantly intervening in the political fray to protect his subjects, was cemented by this success. In 1992, after a military junta had toppled the Thai government and army chief Suchinda Kraprayoon assumed the prime ministership, mass protests again ensued and again were met with violence. When Bhumibol was 1, his family returned to Thailand, where his father took up an internship in a hospital in Chiang Mai. Bhumibol Adulyadej is royalty. United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan presented the king with the UN’s first Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award to Bhumibol at a ceremony in Bangkok as part of the festivities. In 1932, a coalition of military officers and civil servants staged a coup against King Rama VII. In May 2014 he endorsed the military government that took power after the ouster of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, but by this time his public appearances had become far less frequent. His health began to decline and he was hospitalized frequently. His prestige, however, was damaged by the constant unrest. Bhumibol Adulyadej, also called Phumiphon Adunlayadet or Rama IX, (born December 5, 1927, Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.—died October 13, 2016, Bangkok, Thailand), ninth king of the Chakkri dynasty (1950–2016), which has ruled or reigned in Thailand from 1782, and Thailand’s longest-serving monarch. New elections were called and a civilian government was elected. National celebrations were held in Thailand in June 2006 to mark the 60th anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s ascent to the throne. Just as his father had done in Massachusetts, Adulyadej met his wife-to-be while studying overseas. Thailand was ruled by military dictator Plaek Pibulsonggram until 1957 when the first of a long series of coups removed him from office. His most important function was to serve as a living symbol of and a focus of unity for the Thai nation. On June 9, 1946, young King Mahidol died in his palace bedroom from a single gunshot wound to the head. He was posthumously renamed again in 1996, this time into an auspiciously long name similar to the name of King Mongkut, Chulalongkorn, Vajiravudh, and Prajadhipok. The Constitutional Court invalidated the results, and on September 19, before new elections could be held, the Thai military engineered a coup while Thaksin was out of the country. King Vajiralongkorn led a candle lighting ceremony in front of the Grand Palace in Bangkok to pay tribute to his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died in … Adulyadej opened Chitralada Palace's gates to offer refuge to the demonstrators as they fled the soldiers. In March 1935, King Rama VII abdicated in favor of his 9-year-old nephew, Bhumibol Adulyadej's older brother Ananda Mahidol. The king was officially crowned one week later, becoming Thailand's monarch and officially known thereafter as King Bhumibol Adulyadej. It was never conclusively proved whether his death was murder, accident, or suicide. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej H IS MAJESTY KING BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ of Thailand was born in Cambridge Massachusetts, The United States of America, on Monday the 5th of December 1927, being the third and youngest child of Their Royal Highnesses Prince and Princess Mahidol of Songkhla The young King Bhumibol met the daughter of the Thai ambassador to France, a student named Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kiriyakara, during a visit to Paris. Definition and Examples, Biography of King George VI, Britain’s Unexpected King, Ban Chiang - Bronze Age Village and Cemetery in Thailand, Biography of King Abdullah, Ruler of Saudi Arabia, Biography of Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia, Biography of Nicolas Maduro, Embattled President of Venezuela, King of Thailand to Be Formally Crowned in an Ornate Spectacle, Bhumibol, a King of the People, Leaves Them to the Generals, J.D., University of Washington School of Law, B.A., History, Western Washington University. Days before the Diamond Jubilee began, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan presented the UN’s first Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award to Bhumibol at a ceremony in Bangkok. Adulyadej's uncle was appointed his prince regent, and Adulyadej returned to the University of Lausanne to finish his degree. Over the next six years, Adulyadej would revive many abandoned Chakri traditions. As the second son born to his parents, and because his birth took place outside of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej was never expected to rule Thailand. A supporter of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej holding up his picture at a rally in Bangkok to commemorate the king's 85th birthday, 2012. Crown prince Vajiralongkorn ascended to the throne, and his official coronation was held on May 4, 2019. Monday 05 Dec 1927. Full name. found: New York times WWW site, viewed Oct. 13, 2016 (King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand; b. Dec. 5, 1927, Cambridge, Mass. • 5 December 1927 – September 1929: His Highness Prince Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej, also called Phumiphon Adunlayadet or Rama IX, (born December 5, 1927, Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.—died October 13, 2016, Bangkok, Thailand), ninth king of the Chakkri dynasty (1950–2016), which has ruled or reigned in Thailand from 1782, and Thailand’s longest-serving monarch. BANGKOK (AP) — In an age when most of the world's blue bloods cut ribbons and meekly approved whatever their governments proposed, the 70-year reign of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej stood out in sharp relief, perhaps a throwback to a long-vanished past. The Thais however refer to him as Nai Luang (the King), Phra Chao Yu Hua (Lord Upon our Heads) or Chao Chiwit (Lord of Life). PHUKET: Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew led a mass ceremony to honour the birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great this morning (Dec 5), … His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej. King of Thailand (1946) Trivia. One of those instances came in 1973 when popular protests against the dictatorships of Generals Thanom Kittikachorn and Praphas Charusathien were brutally suppressed by the military, and many demonstrators died. Explore {{searchView.params.phrase}} by color family Bhumibol was proclaimed King Rama IX of Siam’s Chakri dynasty that same day, though he would not be crowned until 1950, after the official name change to … Adulyadej and Sirikit began a courtship, visiting Paris' romantic tourist sights. HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej (FFG 471) (Thai: เรือหลวงภูมิพลอดุลยเดช), is the lead ship of her class of frigates for the Royal Thai Navy, developed from the Gwanggaeto the Great-class destroyer. Formally, he was referred to as Phrabat Somdet Phra Chao Yu Hua (พระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว) or, in legal documents, Phrabat Somdet Phra Paraminthara Maha Bhumibol Adulyadej (พระบาทสมเด็จพระปรมินทรมหาภูมิพลอดุลยเดช), and in English as "His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej". Date of birth. After his death, King Bhumibol Adulyadej posthumously renamed him to elevate his title equal to a crowned king. He holds the title King Rama IX. In deference to his new role, he changed his major from science to political science and law. (his father, Prince Mahidol of Songkhla, was studying public health at Harvard at the time); succeeded his brother, King Ananda, June 9, 1946; formally crowned Rama IX of the Chakri dynasty, 1950; d. Thursday [Oct. 13, 2016], Bangkok, aged 88) Further coups took place in 1977, 1980, 1981, 1985, and 1991. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. As monarch, Bhumibol enjoyed immense popularity. He led an active ceremonial life and, despite his limited governmental powers, on several occasions played a crucial role in mediations that either resolved or helped to avoid political crisis. King Bhumibol, therefore, wielded little real political power, although the constitution named him as head of state and commander of the armed forces. Bhumibol is contained in 1 match in Merriam-Webster Dictionary. His reign came about only after his older brother's violent death. Bhumibol, whose full name means "strength of the land, incomparable power," was in the United States because his father, Prince Mahidol Adulyadej, was studying for a public health certificate at Harvard University. In October 1948, Adulyadej crashed into a truck and was seriously injured, losing his right eye and suffering back injuries. Ten years later, Thanom sent out the troops against huge public protests, killing hundreds of protestors. Although he was never intended for the throne, Adulyadej is remembered as a successful and beloved king of Thailand, who helped calm turbulent political waters over the decades of his long reign. He was a grandson of King Chulalongkorn and was born while his father, Prince Mahidol of Songkhla, was studying at Harvard University. Watch a brief profile of Thailand's crown prince, Vajiralongkorn, at his accession to the throne as King Rama X, 2016. King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand died at the age of 88 on 13 October 2016, after a long illness. The actual cremation, which was not broadcast on television, was held in the late evening of 26 October 2017. Nevertheless, two royal pages and the king's personal secretary were convicted and executed for the crime of assassination. Their beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej just passed away, and brought the entire nation to tears. King Bhumibol is Thailand’s longest serving monarch, reigning over the country for 70 years – a journey which he started as an 18-year-old, when he ascended to the throne as Thailand’s ninth monarch. She was 17 years old; he was 22. He died at the Siriraj hospital in Bangkok on October 16, 2016. Adulyadej declared martial law during the crisis, which ended with a new dictatorship forming under the king's close ally, Sarit Dhanarajata. 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