History

• King Bhumibol Adulyadej was born December 5, 1927 in Cambridge, Massachusetts in the United States of America.
  
  

Time Frame

• King Bhumibol's reign of Thailand began June 9, 1946. His coronation was on May 5, 1950, which is celebrated every year with the Thai public holiday "Coronation Day."
  
  

Significance

• King Bhumibol is the world's longest serving head of state and the longest reigning monarch in Thai history.
  
  

Influence

• Although officially King Bhumibol's power is limited, he occasionally intervenes in political affairs. For example, he is said to have exerted some influence in the 2006 Thai coup, which overthrew the government.
  
  

Warning

• King Bhumibol and his family are protected by a lèse majesté ("injured majesty") law. Any insult to the monarchy is punishable by 3 to 15 years imprisonment.