Monarchs of the Chakri dynasty |
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Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I) |
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Phra Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (Rama II) |
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Nangklao (Rama III) |
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Mongkut (Rama IV) |
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Chulalongkorn (Rama V) |
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Vajiravudh (Rama VI) |
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Prajadhipok (Rama VII) |
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Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) |
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Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) |
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Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) |
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Styles of King Bhumibol Adulyadej Rama IX of Thailand |
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Reference style | His Majesty |
Spoken style | Your Majesty |
Alternative style | Sir |
Bhumibol Adulyadej (Thai: ภูมิพลอดุลยเดช; rtgs: Phumiphon Adunyadet; pronounced [pʰūː.mí.pʰōn ʔā.dūn.jā.dèːt]; see full title below; 5 December 1927 – 13 October 2016), conferred with the title King Bhumibol the Great in 1987, was the ninth monarch of Thailand from the Chakri dynasty as Rama IX. Reigning since 9 June 1946 he was, at the time of his death, the world's longest-serving head of state, the longest-reigning monarch in Thai history and the longest-serving monarch having reigned only as an adult, serving for 70 years, 126 days. During his reign, he was served by a total of 30 prime ministers beginning with Pridi Banomyong and ending with Prayut Chan-o-cha.
In 1957, a military coup overthrew the government of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram with allegations of lèse-majesté, which is an offense against the dignity of the monarch, punishable under Thai law. This began a new and long-lasting relationship between the monarch and military, leading the king to condone the Thammasat University massacre in defense of his throne, and support a series of military dictatorships. Although Bhumibol did invite public criticism in a 2005 speech, the lèse majesté laws have not been revoked by the Thai parliament.
Forbes estimated Bhumibol's fortune – including property and investments managed by the Crown Property Bureau, a unique body that is neither private nor government-owned (the assets managed by the Bureau are owned by the crown as an institution, not by the monarch as an individual) – to be US$30 billion in 2010, and he headed the magazine's list of the "world's richest royals" from 2008 to 2013. In May 2014, Bhumibol's wealth was once again listed as US$30 billion.