Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej, born on December 5, 1927, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty of Thailand and reigned from 1946 until his death in 2016. His early life was marked by a transition from the United States to Thailand, followed by education in Switzerland, where he completed his studies in law and politics after ascending to the throne following the tragic death of his older brother. Bhumibol played a crucial role in stabilizing and modernizing the Thai monarchy during a time when its power had declined due to the shift to a constitutional monarchy in 1932.
Throughout his reign, Bhumibol was known for his commitment to social and economic development, launching significant rural projects that improved the lives of many farmers and reduced opium cultivation. His influence in Thai politics was notable as he fostered close relationships with various political leaders, navigating the complexities of military and civilian rule. Despite his popularity, his support for certain military regimes and the strict lèse majesté laws in Thailand drew criticism.
Bhumibol passed away on October 13, 2016, after a prolonged illness, leaving behind a legacy as one of the world's longest-reigning monarchs and a significant figure in Thailand's modern history. His efforts in agriculture and rural development earned him international recognition, underscoring his impact on the country's growth and stability.
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Bhumibol Adulyadej
King of Thailand (r. 1946–2016)
- Born: December 5, 1927
- Birthplace: Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Died: October 13, 2016
- Place of death: Bangkok, Thailand
Bhumibol used skillful means to rebuild the Thai monarchy, making it into the most stable, powerful, and influential institution in Thailand. He accomplished this through political savvy and by endearing himself to the Thai people through philanthropy and public projects, including those recognized by the United Nations.
Early Life
Bhumibol Adulyadej was born on December 5, 1927, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where his father was studying public health at Harvard University. His father was a Thai prince and son of King Chulalongkorn, fifth king of the Chakri Dynasty of Thailand. His mother was born a commoner named Sangwal, but she was known after the birth of her children as the Princess Mother and later was given the title Her Royal Highness Somdej Phra Sri Nakarindra Baromraj Chonni. Bhumibol’s family returned to Thailand in 1928, where he studied for a short time at a primary school in Bangkok. In 1933, Bhumibol’s family moved to Switzerland, and he continued his secondary education there at the École Nouvelle de la Suisse Romande. He later graduated from Gymnase Classique Cantonal of Lausanne with a baccalauréat des lettres in French literature, Latin, and Greek. In 1945 he was admitted to the University of Lausanne to study science.
In 1946, Bhumibol’s life changed dramatically. His older brother, Phra Ong Chao Ananda Mahidol, the reigning king of Thailand, was fatally shot on June 9. Bhumibol was declared king, although his formal coronation did not take place until May 5, 1950. His uncle served as interim king to allow him to complete his education in Switzerland. Because of his new role, Bhumibol decided to study politics and law rather than science; he graduated in 1950. Bhumibol met his future wife, Sirikit Kitiyakara, the daughter of the Thai ambassador to France, while studying in Europe. They were married on April 28, 1950. The couple had four children together, a son and three daughters.
Life’s Work
The Thai monarchy’s power and prestige had been in steady decline since 1932, when Thailand became a constitutional monarchy. When the nineteen-year-old Bhumibol Adulyadej (a name that means “strength of the land, incomparable power”) came to power in 1946, he began to reverse this trend. His reign was so successful and influential that it maintained the monarchy as a powerful and revered institution in Thailand. Bhumibol’s political savvy, dedication to his people, and social and economic development projects in rural areas were decisive factors in this transformation.
In 1957, his support for the ouster of the military dictatorship of Plaek Pibulsonggram in favor of General Sarit Dhanarajata dramatically changed the king’s role in Thai politics. Sarit and Bhumibol developed a close working relationship that greatly increased the visibility and influence of the monarchy. Many traditional ceremonies were revived, and Sarit entrusted Bhumibol with the country’s political affairs and with developing the economy. Bhumibol directly or indirectly was involved in determining who ruled Thailand, including a series of military dictators, until 1973, when massive protests and the killing of many prodemocratic activists led to the king’s appointment of a civilian government. This government, however, lasted only three years because another military dictatorship seized power.
In 1992, Bhumibol helped establish a democratically elected government by opposing a 1991 military coup, leading to general elections and a civilian government. The era of democratically elected governments came to an abrupt end in 2006, when the government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was overthrown by the Thai military in a nonaggressive coup. Thaksin’s government had been frequently accused of corruption, conflicts of interest, and human rights abuses, yet his progressive policies made him a popular politician. It is generally felt that the ouster of Thaksin, a vocal critic of the monarchy, was supported by Bhumibol.
Bhumibol was actively engaged in social and economic development projects during his reign. He visited every province in Thailand and started many development programs to benefit the populace. His most significant work was in agricultural and rural development. His efforts directly improved the lives of peasant farmers through road development, electricity, irrigation, and modern farming techniques. The king was acclaimed for his successful effort to get farmers to switch from growing opium poppies to growing vegetables, fruits, and coffee, leading to an 85 percent decline in opium cultivation. Other projects included improvements in livestock, beekeeping, forestry, dairy production, and the development of hybrid seeds. He was awarded the first Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award by the United Nations in 2006. In 2009, the king was admitted to a hospital in Bangkok for a lung infection and remained hospitalized until September 2013, although he did occasionally leave the hospital during this time to perform state functions, such as meeting with US president Barack Obama during his visit to Thailand in 2012.
Bhumibol’s personal life had been equally active and wide ranging. As an author, gifted jazz musician, inventor, and sailor, he wrote two books, composed music and played with world-renowned musicians such as Benny Goodman and Lionel Hampton, received several patents for agricultural devices, and designed boats.
King Bhumibol was one of the wealthiest persons in the world, owning equity in many large Thai companies and owning vast tracts of land and developed properties. His assets included banks, construction companies, and insurance and telecommunications companies.
Although immensely popular in Thailand, Bhumibol was not without his detractors. He had a record of supporting, at times, dictatorships and a corrupt Thai military instead of democratic movements. In addition, he was protected by lèse majesté laws, which make it illegal for anyone to criticize any member of the monarchy or any royal projects. Criticism of the king or monarchy is vigorously suppressed, and government censorship is routine.
By the time Bhumibol endorsed the army chief as leader who had taken over the government in a military coup in May 2014, he had been experiencing bouts of ill health and had decreased his public appearances, but he was still widely revered in the country. After being hospitalized for a severe infection in September 2016, it was reported that he had been admitted to Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok once more in early October due to reduced blood flow to one side of his heart and was in unstable condition. As further proof of his beloved status, several citizens gathered outside of the hospital to pray for his return to health and anxiously await further news. On October 13, 2016, it was announced that the king had passed away at the age of eighty-eight, and that a one-year mourning period would commence. The following day, Buddhist funeral ceremonies were held at the Bangkok palace and officials announced that Bhumibol would not be cremated for at least one year; his only son, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, announced that he would delay his declaration as king for some time and would not hold his coronation until after his father's cremation in order to mourn with the country. At the time of his death, Bhumibol had been the longest-reigning living monarch in the world.
Significance
Bhumibol was the political and cultural pillar of Thailand. Although the king has no official political power, Bhumibol’s popularity and experience enabled him to exert significant influence over Thai politics and culture. He worked tirelessly to restore people’s faith in the monarchy. He was the only Thai king to have visited every province in Thailand. In addition to connecting with the people, he was very astute politically, breaking the mold of the ceremonial monarch. Instead, Bhumibol embraced politics by cultivating close working relationships with Thai political leaders and the military. His longevity and political capital allowed him to develop a base of powerful individuals who regularly sought him out for advice and input regarding the future of Thailand.
His rural and economic development projects transformed the countryside of Thailand. He modernized Thai farming through the development and funding of major irrigation projects, new livestock breeding techniques, hybrid-seed cultivation, and dairy industry improvements. These projects raised the standard of living for millions of rural Thai farmers and villagers. He often funded major projects with his own money when government funding was not available. His work received international recognition by the United Nations.
Bibliography
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