Bhumibol ascended the throne following the death by gunshot wound of his brother, King Ananda Mahidol, on 9 June 1946, under circumstances that remain unclear.[17] Public discussion of the regicide remains taboo to this day, and probing can lead to accusations of lèse majesté. Bhumibol returned immediately to Switzerland, continuing his education in law and political science. His uncle, Rangsit, Prince of Chainat, was appointed Prince Regent. While in Switzerland, Bhumibol authorized a military coup that overthrew the government of Luang Thamrong Navasawat and ushered in 30 years of uninterrupted military dictatorship. He also authorized the 1949 constitution, which gave back to the monarchy almost all of its powers that were taken away by the 1932 Revolution.[18]