HM The King Bhumibol Adulyadej

HM The King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Being born on 5th December 1927 and acceded to the throne as King Rama IX on 9th June 1946,
the King of Thailand is the world's longest-reigning monarch and the longest-serving Head of State.

From Sukhothai to Ayutthaya through Thonburi to Bangkok

The Thai monarchy has been in continuous existence since 1238 A.D., the founding date of the Kingdom of Sukhothai by King Sri Indraditya – the first King of a unified Thailand. In 1279, the King Ramkhamhaeng, called Pho Khun Ramkhamhaeng the Great (the father of the nation), came to the throne. The Kingdom of Sukhothai was eventually succeeded by the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, founded in 1351 by King Ramathibodhi I. For four centuries Thai Kings, especially the King Trailokanat, ruled Ayutthaya, presiding over some of the greatest period of cultural, economic and military growth in Thai History. All of this ended in 1767, when a Burmese Army invaded and sacked the city of Ayutthaya.

After the fall of Ayutthaya kingdom, there was a brief episode in the history of Siam associated first with the civil war, and then, the short-lived Thonburi Kingdom under the King Taksin. In 1782, a new Kingdom was established by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke or Rama I, when he moved the capital from Thonburi across the Chao Phraya river to Bangkok. Actually, at that time it was an Island on Chao Phraya river called Rattanakosin. Thus, has been launched a new distinct period in Thai history called Rattanakosin Era.

The King Rama I has founded the Chakri dynasty, which is currently ruling in Thailand. In 1868, the King Chulalongkorn or Rama V called The Great Beloved King ascended the throne as King of Siam. Being educated by Westerners, he embraced many of European and Western ideas in modernizing Siamese kingdom. King Chulalongkorn managed to save Siam from being colonized and was considered one of the greatest kings of Siam. In 1910, he was succeeded by his son the King Vajiravudh or Rama VI, who brought the monarchy into the 20th century. In 1925, he was succeeded by his brother the King Prajadhipok or Rama VII. The institution reached its current constitutional form in 1932, after a bloodless coup carried out by a group of foreign educated students called "the Promoters", which ended the absolute monarchy.
Diamond Jubilee

From 8 till 13 June 2006 Thailand celebrated the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's accession to the throne. The celebrations incorporated series of events marking Bhumibol's reign. Events included the royal barge procession on the Chao Phraya River, fireworks displays, art exhibitions, pardoning 25,000 prisoners, concerts and dance performances. People all over the country have been wearing yellow shirts with the royal emblem in celebration of this very special event. Kings and queens, monarchs and sultans, princes and princesses, royal ancestries, royalties and dignitaries from 25 countries around the world gathered in the Thailand capital Bangkok to mark King Bhumibol Adulyadej 60 years on the throne and pay their respects.