His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej (which is pronounced 'Phumiphon Adunyadet') is the ninth king of the Chakri dynasty (founded in 1782) and as of 1988 the longest reigning king in Thai history. Born in the USA in 1927, where his father Prince Mahidol was studying medicine at Harvard University, and schooled in bangkok and Switzerland, King Bhumibol was a nephew of Rama VII as well as the younger brother of Rama VIII. His full name, including royal title, is Phrabaatsomdet Boramintaramahaphumiphonadunyadet.

        His Majesty ascended the throne in 1946 following the death of Rama VIII, who had reigned as king for only one year. In 1996, Thailand celebrated the king's 50th year of reign. His Majesty is the world's longest reigning, living monarch. A Jazz composer and saxophonist, King Bhumibol wrote the royal anthem (the music that accompanies photos of the royal family shown before every film at cinemas throughout the country). He is fluent in English, French, German and Thai.

        The King and Queen Sirikit have four children: princess Ubol Ratana (born 1951), Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn (1952), Princess Chulabhorn (1957). A royal decree issued by King Trailok (1448-88) to standardize succession in a polygamous dynasty makes the king's senior son or full brotherhood 'uparaja' or heir apparent. Thus Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn was officially designated as crown prince and heir when he reached 20 years of age in 1972; if he were to decline the crown or be unable to ascend the throne due to incurable illness or death, the senior princess (Ubol Ratana) would be next in line.

        Thailand's political system is officially classified as a constitutional monarchy, but the Thai constitution stipulates that the king be 'enthroned in a position of revered workship' and not be exposed 'to any sort of accusation or action'.

        The monarchy is held in considerable respect in Thailand and visitors should be respectful too - avoid disparaging remarks about the king, queen or anyone in the royal family. One of Thailand's more outspoken intellectuals, Sulak Sivaraksa, was arrested in the early 1980s for lese-majesty because of a passing reference to the king's fondness for yachting (Sulak referred to His Majesty as 'the skipper') and again in 1991 when he referred to the royal family as 'ordinary people'. Although on that occasion he received a royal pardon, later in 1991 Sulak had to flee the country to avoid prosecution again, for alleged remarks delivered at Thammasat University about the ruling military junta, with reference to the king (Sulak has since returned under a suspended sentence). The penalty for lese-majesty is seven years imprisonment.

        While it's OK to criticize the Thai government and even Thai culture openly, it's considered a grave insult to Thai nationhood as well as to the monarchy not to stand when you hear the national or royal anthems. Radio and TV stations in Thailand broadcast the national anthem daily at 8 am and 6 pm; in towns and villages (even in some Bangkok neighbourhoods) this can be heard over public loudspeakers in the streets. The Thais stop whatever they're doing to stand during the anthem (except in Bangkok, where nobody can hear anydying above the street noise) and visitors are expected to do likewise. The royal anthem is played just before films are shown in public cinemas; again, the audience always stands until it's over.

Top of page