Thursday 9 June 2016

Thailand - His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne


His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne. The year 2016 will go down in Thai history as one of the nation’s most significant years, since it marks the auspicious occasion of the 70th anniversary of His Majesty the King’s accession to the throne. The occasion has special significance for several reasons.
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His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej currently enjoys high honor and distinction as the world’s longest-reigning monarch. Few monarchs have ever attained such longevity on the throne. His Majesty is widely known as one of the hardest-working monarchs on earth. He occupies a special and revered position in the hearts and minds of the people.
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The Government has set the period from 9 June 2016 to 9 June 2017 for the celebrations of this occasion. People have been encouraged to display on their premises the royal ceremonial emblems, in commemoration of this special occasion. Various projects and activities have also been carried out as part of the celebrations.
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His Majesty assumed his kingship, succeeding his brother as head of state, on 9 June 1946. He was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Monday, 5 December 1927. He is the third child and second son of His Royal Highest Prince Mahidol of Songkla and his consort, Mom Sangwal. His Majesty is a grandson of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), the great reformer King, who strived to modernize his kingdom and improve the lives of his subjects. 
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Following the death of his father, His Majesty lived mostly in Switzerland with his mother, sister, and elder brother. After one official visit to Siam accompanying King Ananda, in 1938, the family remained cut off from their homeland during World War II. Prince Bhumibol had a relatively ordinary youth, displaying notable talents both in music and engineering, and obtaining fluency in three European languages – French, German, and English – as well as being at ease in different cultures.
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During the royal family’s first post-war visit, in 1946, his brother, King Ananda, passed away, and Prince Bhumibol suddenly found himself in accession to the throne as the ninth Chakri King, Rama IX.
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His Majesty returned to Switzerland to complete his education, changing from engineering to political science and law in recognition of his new role. During the course of this visit he met the beautiful, young Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitiyakara, daughter of the Thai ambassador to France. They were married in Bangkok on 28 April 1950, and seven days later His Majesty was officially crowned in ancient ceremonies held at the Grand Palace.
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Thai people are keenly aware of the fact that throughout the 70 years of his reign, His Majesty the King has conducted himself firmly in accordance with the Kingly Virtues. Above all, he has been working tirelessly for the peace and happiness of the land and the people.
 
His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne