Thailand is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarchy currently headed by King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX, the ninth king of the House of Chakri, who has reigned since 1946 as the world's longest-serving current head of state and the country's longest-reigning monarch.[12] The King of Thailand's titles include Head of State, Head of the Armed Forces, Adherent of Buddhism, and Upholder of religions.[13]