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
Source: ThailandDiscovery
