by rain » Sat Oct 14, 2006 10:23 pm
<br>Bhumibol Adulyadej (Thai: ภูมิพลอดุลยเดช; IPA: [pʰu:mipʰon adunjadeːt]; Royal Institute: Phumiphon Adunyadet; listen (help·info)) (born December 5, 1927), officially styled "the Great" (Thai: มหาราช, Maharaja) and also known as Rama IX, is the current King of Thailand. Having reigned since June 9, 1946, Bhumibol is the world's longest-serving current Head of State and the longest-serving monarch in Thai history.[1]<br><br>Although Bhumibol is a constitutional monarch, he has several times made decisive interventions in Thai politics, including the political crisis of 2005-2006. Bhumibol has been widely credited with facilitating Thailand's transition to democracy in the 1990s, although in earlier periods of his reign he supported military regimes. He did not oppose the September 2006 coup which overthrew the elected government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.<br><br>Bhumibol uses his great wealth to fund numerous development projects, particularly in rural areas. He is immensely popular in Thailand, and is revered as a semi-divine figure by many Thais. Critics, mostly outside Thailand, attribute this status to the suppression of criticism of the monarchy.[2]<br><br>Bhumibol was born in the United States and educated primarily in Switzerland. Bhumibol is also an accomplished musician, artist, and sailor. He is one of the wealthiest people in the world and has received many honours.<br><br>.......<br><br>Bhumibol ascended to the throne following the death of his brother, Ananda Mahidol, on June 9, 1946. Ananda Mahidol's death resulted from a gunshot to the head while he was in his bedroom in the Baromphiman Palace in the Grand Palace, under circumstances that to this day remain a mystery.[6] Bhumibol then returned to Switzerland in order to complete his education, and his uncle, Rangsit, Prince of Chainat, was appointed Prince Regent. Bhumibol switched over his field of study to law and political science in order to prepare himself more effectively for his new position as ruler.<br>.......<br><br><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhumibol_Adulyadej">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhumibol_Adulyadej</a><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--><br><br> <p></p><i></i>