In his 70 years as the doting monarch of the Kingdom of Thailand, His Majesty King Bhumipol Adulyadej brought peace when it was needed and showed the way towards easing the plight of the poor and bringing prosperity. His Majesty's life was one of great achievement in every field imaginable, from science to agriculture to sport and music. Here is a list of some of the notable moments in his illustrious life.
Dec 5, 1927: Birth of His Majesty the King at Cambridge Hospital, Massachusetts
Dec 13, 1928: Return of HRH Prince Mahidol and his family to Thailand
Sept 24, 1929: Death of Prince Mahidol
May 9, 1933: Mahidol family settles in Lausanne, Switzerland
March 2, 1934: King Rama VII abdicates to London, England
Accession of King Ananda
Nov 15, 1938: Return of King Ananda, 13, to Thailand as sovereign for the first time
June 9, 1946: Death of King Ananda
Prince Bhumibol named King Rama IX
1946: His Majesty writes his first and second music compositions, ‘’Love at Sundown’’ and ‘’Candlelight Blue’’
April 28, 1950: Marriage of HM King Bhumibol and Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kittiyakara
May 5, 1950: Coronation ceremony. "I shall reign with righteousness for the happiness and benefit of the Siamese people."
April 5, 1951: Birth of HRH Princess Ubol Ratana
1952: The first rural development project at Huai Mongkol village of Hua Hin is established
July 28, 1952: Birth of HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn
April 2, 1955: Birth of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
1956: Royal ordination
June 4, 1957: Birth of HRH Princess Chulabhorn
1959: First royal state visit to Vietnam
1960: Revival of royal ploughing ceremony
1965: The King’s Scholarship Fund is launched
1967: His Majesty wins the SEA Games gold medal in international OK sailing with HRH Princess Ubol Ratana
The Royal Medical Team unit is established
1969: The first trial of artificial rain is a success. Rain falls in the targeted area at Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima
The Royal Project is established.
June 9, 1971: His Majesty celebrates his Ratchadapisek, or Silver Jubilee.
A demonstration rice mill is set up at Chitralada Palace
1973: His Majesty puts an end to street violence after the Oct 14 democracy protests turn into a bloodbath
1979: Cow and buffalo bank is established
The first Living Museum is opened at Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Centre in Phanom Sarakham district, Chachoengsao province
1988: The Chaipattana Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, is established. His Majesty is named president
The Royal Project wins the Magsaysay Award for international understanding
July 2, 1988: His Majesty celebrates 42 years and 23 days on the throne, an event marked by Rajamangalapisek celebrations to, in the words of His majesty, "apologise for overtaking King Chulalongkorn" as he becomes the longest-reigning monarch in Thailand
1989: The first model of the oxygen-enhancing aerator is installed for trial at Phra Mongkutklao Hospital and Wat Bowon Niwetvihara
May 20, 1992: During street violence in what has become known as the Black May incident, His Majesty convinces then prime minister Gen Suchinda Kraprayoon and protest leader Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang to end their confrontation for the sake of public peace and harmony.
1994: His Majesty unveils his concept of a "New Theory", a new approach in agricultural development during his birthday speech
June 9, 1996: His Majesty celebrates his Kanchanapisek with the Grand Golden Jubilee Royal Rites at Chakri Throne Hall in the Grand Palace.
1997: His Majesty’s concept of sufficiency economy earns public recognition and helps save the nation from economic crisis
His Majesty’s book, Mahajanaka, is launched
2002: The best-selling book, The Story of Tongdaeng, is released and the Tongdaeng T-shirt becomes a popular item
2004: Tongdaeng comic book by four cartoonists becomes another bestseller
2006: The European Patent Office issues patents on His Majesty’s rain-making technology
His Majesty addresses judges of the Supreme and Administrative Courts to explore legal solutions to get the country out of political gridlock
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan presents the first UNDP Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award to His Majesty the King
June 9, 2006: The sixtieth Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty’s accession to the throne
