King Bhumibol Adulyadej Borommanathbobitra

I recently visited the Exhibition for the Royal Cremation Ceremony for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej Borommanathbobitra in Bangkok.

The King passed away last year on October 13th 2016 at the age of 89 after reigning for 70 years which is the longest in reign in Thai history. After a year of mourning the cremation ceremony and exhibition was held in November 2017.

The King was born on 5th December 1927 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. He was the youngest of three children. He was educated at Mater Dei School Bangkok and continued his studies in Switzerland and eventually enrolled in the Faculty of Science at Lausanne University. After ascending to the throne following his brother he decided to change his studies to political science and law to better prepare himself for the role as Head of State.

On the 9th of June 1946 he ascended the throne becoming the 9th King of the Chakri Dynasty.

After completing his studies in Switzerland he returned to Thailand where on 28th of April 1950 he married Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kittiyakara who then became Queen Sirikit. They had four children.

He was crowned on 5th May 1950. Following tradition he enter the monkhood from 13th October to 5th November 1956.

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We all queued up for about 100 meters and went through security before taking a seat in a waiting area. After about 20 minutes, once enough space was available around the exhibition we were allowed to enter and view the display. There were thousands of people going through to view the exhibition all day long.