Bhumibol Adulyadej Age, Biography, Wife & More
Some Lesser Known Facts About Bhumibol Adulyadej
- Does Bhumibol Adulyadej smoke?: Not Known
- Does Bhumibol Adulyadej drink alcohol?: Not Known
- He was born to Mahidol Adulyadej (Prince of Songkla) and Srinagarindra (the Princess Mother) at Cambridge Hospital in Massachusetts, United States.
- The name on his U. S. Birth Certificate was- Baby Songkla as his parents had to consult his uncle- King Rama VII (Prajadhipok), who was the then head of the House of Chakri, to suggest a name for him.
- Bhumibol was the only monarch to be born in the United States as at the time of his birth, his father was enrolled in a public health program at the Harvard University.
- In 1928, Bhumibol came to Thailand from the United States.
- In September 1929, his father died of Kidney failure when Bhumibol was less than 2 years old.
- In 1933, his family moved to Switzerland after the death of his father. He took his education in Switzerland.
- He had a great interest in photography and was filled with enthusiasm when he was given a camera in 1934.
- In 1935, his elder brother- Anand (9 years old at that time) became the new King of Thailand after his childless uncle- Prajadhipok was abdicated.
- He became a Jazz enthusiast in 1942 and also developed interest in playing saxophone which he kept throughout his life.
- After the end of the Second World War, he returned to Thailand along with his family.
- On 9 June 1946, he ascended the throne after his brother- Ananda Mahidol died by a mysterious gunshot wound.
- He met his future wife- Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitiyakara in Paris who was the daughter of a Thai Ambassador to France.
- On 4 October 1948, he lost vision in his right eye when he met an accident while driving a Fiat Topolino on the Geneva-Lausanne road.
- His coronation took place at the Royal Palace in Bangkok on 5 May 1950, when he became the Crowned King of Thailand.
- In the initial days of his tenure as the King of Thailand, he had no real political powers and was merely a ceremonial king.
- Bhumibol played a key role in 1992, in the transition of Thailand to a democratic system.
- On 13 October 2016, he died of his chronic illness in Siriraj Hospital.
- He was the 9th monarch of Thailand and was considered as world’s longest-serving head of state (from 9 June 1946 to 13 October 2016).
- During his reign as the King of Thailand, he was served by 30 Prime Ministers.