BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ

also called Phumiphon Adunlayadet, or Rama Ix born Dec. 5, 1927, Cambridge, Mass., U.S. ninth king of the Chakkri dynasty, which has ruled or reigned in Thailand from 1782. He was a grandson of King Chulalongkorn and was born while his father, Prince Mahidol of Songkhla, was studying at Harvard University. He succeeded to the throne after his older brother Ananda Mahidol, who had been king since 1935, was found dead of a bullet wound on June 9, 1946. He was married to Princess Sirikit Kitiyakara in April 1950 and was formally crowned on May 5, 1950. The absolute monarchy was abolished in Thailand during the reign of King Prajadhipok as a result of the revolution of 1932. King Bhumibol, therefore, wielded little real political power, although the constitution named him as head of state and commander of the armed forces. His most important function was to serve as a living symbol of and a focus of unity for the Thai nation. After the government of Sarit Thanarat in the late 1950s, the king led an active ceremonial life, frequently appearing in public and moderating between extreme parties in Thai politics. Bhumibol's designated heir to the throne was his only son, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn.