King Bhumibol: An Incomparable Power
His Majesty, King Bhumibol Adulyadej
or King Rama IX is Thailand’s longest reigning monarch and the
world’s longest serving head of state. Offspring of HRH
Prince Mahidol Adulayadej and Mom Sangwal, who was later known as
Somdej Phra Sri Nakarindhara Boromaratchachonnani.
Thailand’s King was born on the 5th of December year 1927 in
Massachusetts, United States of America. His name,
Bhumibol Adulyadej can be translated into “Strength of the Land,
Incomparable Power”.
Bhumibol received his primary education in
Bangkok’s Mater Dei school. Their family left for
Switzerland in 1933 where he furthered his education. He obtained
his high-school diploma with French, Latin and Greek as his major at
Gymnase Classique Cantonal of Lausanne. Later on, he became
enthralled by the dynamics of things, so he took up engineering at a
Swiss University in 1946. It was also this period when the role
of kingship fell upon his hands, his older brother King Ananda died
tragically. This altered the course of Bhumibol’s life and
that of Thailand. His coronation was delayed for almost four
years to enable the young King to complete his formal education.
He was crowned Monarch of the Kingdom of Thailand on May 05,
1950. But one year before his Coronation, he was engaged to a
Thai’s diplomat daughter, Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kittiyakara and
was married on the 28th of April.
He has been Thailand’s king for almost half a
century now. King Bhumibol is deeply honored and respected by the
people of Thailand. He is Thailand’s symbol of hope, its
guiding light and an emblem of unity in the entire kingdom. He
functions not only as the Thailand’s head of state but also the
Head of the Armed Forces, he is also the Upholder of the Buddhist
religion and all other religions in the country. The Thais called
him King 'Phra Chao Phaen Din' which translates to ‘Lord of the
Land’, ‘Phra Chao Yu Hua' which means ‘Lord Upon the
Heads’ and 'Chao Chiwit' meaning ‘Lord of
Life’. These names associated with King Bhumibol only show
how much he is exalted and looked up upon by his people.
Thailand’s stability and prosperity can be
greatly attributed to its king. King Bhumibol’s timely
interventions during disturbing political crisis, his prudent yet
critical role in Thailand’s government is what makes him truly,
king of kings. He is wise and incisive but is always in the realm
of his legal and constitutional powers.
King Bhumibol is a billionaire and one the
world’s richest people. He has also devoted himself
in Thailand’s development projects, personally overseeing rural
and agricultural development projects, land and water resources,
education and public health. He sees to it that he learns the
suffering of his people first-hand by making countless trips to
different parts of Thailand, most frequently the country sides and its
remotest areas.
No monarch in the world can be measured up to his
popularity and can live up to his achievements as a King. He has
carried his crown with deep humanity, a caring monarch and a wise
leader. King Bhumibol indisputably is Thailand’s guiding
light and the incomparable source of its power.