Family Background
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej was born at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts in the United States of America, at 8.45 a.m. on Monday 5th December 1927. He was the younger son of HRH Prince Mahidol Adulyadej and Mom Sangwal. King Bhumibol has one elder sister and one elder brother: the late Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana and His Majesty King Ananda Mahidol.
Being the direct grandson of His Late Majesty King Chulalongkorn or Rama V, who was renowned for the great reforms which he made to all institutions of Thailand to bring them up to date and in line with the rest of the West-orientated world, King Bhumibol's ascension to the throne was indeed prophetic and his name – Bhumibol – translates to 'Strength of the Land'.
His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol’s life was dedicated to development of many modern ideas, particularly in the field of modern science and public health. As such, he was known as the “Father of the Modern Thai Medical Profession”. Unfortunately, His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol passed away in 1929. After the death of his father, His Majesty King Bhumibol studied in Switzerland where he continued in secondary education and studied science in Lausanne University. However, the death of his brother, King Ananda Mahidol in Bangkok on 9th June, 1946, changed his life. According to the Law of Succession bestowed on him, he was the next heir to the throne. In order to better equip himself with the proper knowledge of the government and politics, His Majesty King Bhumibol changed his major to the subject of Political Science and Law.
King Bhumibol was engaged to Mom Rajawong Sirikit Kitiyakara in 1949. They married a year later in April 1950. After the royal wedding, King Bhumibol conferred Queen Sirikit. They have four children, namely Her Royal Highness Princess Ubol Ratana, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and the youngest, Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn. Together with the Royal Family, His Majesty King Bhumibol initiated royal activities for his country. “We will reign with righteousness for the benefits and happiness of the Siamese people” was the promise he made to his people. And for the past 62 years on the reign, the King has done exactly that.