Father of the land

Last year Thailand celebrated His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej 60th year on the throne.

In his reign, His Majesty has won incomparably overwhelming loyalty from his subjects through his tireless contributions to their well-being.

He has lived his oath, which was first announced at his royal coronation ceremony in 1946. "We shall reign with righteousness for the happiness and benefits of the Siamese people."

Today, His Majesty's benevolence and prestige was proven when the United Nations Development Program named him the first recipient of the "Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award" in 2006.

In 1927, His Royal Highness Prince Bhumibol Adulyadej was born to the Mahidol Royal Family as the youngest son of His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol Adulyadej of Songkhla and Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra, the Princess Mother.

He was born on December 5, 1927 in Cambridge,

Massachusetts in the United States where his father was pursuing his medical degree at Harvard Medical School.

After his father, Prince Mahidol Adulyadej of Songkhla passed away, the Princess Mother and her three children moved to Lausanne, Switzerland, after the change of the political system from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy.

In Switzerland, Prince Bhumibol Adulyadej was enrolled at his new school, Miremont, and after 1935, the Ecole Nouvelle de la Suisse Romande secondary school at Chailly on the shore of Lac Leman. The Mahidol family lived a simple life.

Prince Bhumibol Adulyadej and his elder brother cycled to class everyday. Under the Princess Mother's care, the young royal members had learned to become self-reliant, to observe discipline and also to help less privileged people. These characteristics have since been fundamental traits of their personality.

In 1946, Prince Bhumibol Adulyadej accepted an invitation to ascend the throne as the successor to his late elder brother. He has become the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty which has ruled Thailand for more than 200 years.

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej married Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitiyakara, then the daughter of the Thai Ambassador to France, on April 28, 1950.

They have four children: Her Royal Highness (H.R.H.) Princess Ubol Ratana, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and H.R.H. Princess Chulabhorn.

After coronation, Their Majesties soon visited the Northeast, the least developed region of Thailand.

Upon their return to Bangkok, His Majesty was asked why he would spend so much time and effort in this region. In his reply, he used the phrase that would define the rest of his life work: "It is the peasant, the farmer, who is the backbone of Thailand." And "our economy has traditionally been based upon agriculture."

As time moved on, Year of 2007 has arrived and it has been a very auspicious year during which His Majesty will celebrate his 80th birthday anniversary.

This occasion presents itself as a great opportunity for all Thais to express their loyalty to His Majesty and his tireless dedication to the Thai people. At the age of 80, His Majesty has been on the throne for more than 60 years and today he is internationally recognized as the "King of Development."

(China Daily 12/05/2007 page21)