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About Thai  

Introduction | History | Festival | Religion | Monarchy | The Thai Family | Thai Food

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty. Born in December 1927, in Cambridge, Massachusetts USA, where his father, Prince Mahidol of Songkhla was studying medicine at Harvard University, H.M. King Bhumibol ascended the throne in 1946 and is already the longest reigning Thai monarch. As a constitutional monarch, he maintains neutrality in times of crisis.

Thai people have a deep and traditional reverence for the Royal Family. To a very large degree, H.M. King Bhumibol's popularity mirrors his deep interest in his people's welfare. He concerns himself intimately with every aspect of Thai life. He and his wife, H.M. Queen Sirikit devote much of their time to improve the welfare of the people.

Thai Royal Crest   The Royal Crest
Commemorating the Celebrations on the Auspicious Occastion of His Majesty the King's 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary, 5th December 1999

His Majesty the King's initials the Thai letters Phor Por Ror placed at the centre of the crest, under the Royal Crown and above the Royal Throne of the Eight Compass Points, signify that His Majesty is the focus of the entire nation, binding the people's hearts and loyalty. The yellow colour of the letters is the colour of His Majesty's day of birth, and the blue colour of the background that of the monarchy. The surrounding discus (Chakra) with the Thai numeral 9 means that King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the ninth monarch of the Chakri Dynasty. The crest is flanked by two seven-tiered umbrellas and topped by a nine-tiered umbrella, both types are symbols of kingship. The four-point border represents the four regions of the country, in which the people live in peace and tranquillity under the King's supreme protection, as expressed by the green colour, which is a symbol of peace and abundance. Each of the four points of the border has a lotus flower, an offering to His Majesty on the occasion of his sixth-cycle birthday anniversary. The golden rays around the crest signify His Majesty's grace and benevolence, which pervade the Kingdom and beyond, and bring pride and joy to the people throughout the entire land. Beneath the crest, a blue silk banner bears the inscription of the Celebration on the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty's 6th-Cycle Birthday Anniversary on 5 December 1999.

Thai Programme