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66-470: The station is located along Borommaratchachonnani Road in Taling Chan District 's Chim Phli subdistrict , western suburb of Bangkok. Originally, the southern bus terminal was located on Charansanitwong Road at Fai Chai Junction . It opened for service on January 1, 1960. In 1989, it was moved to Borommaratchachonnani Road near present CentralPlaza Pinklao , due to the traffic situation around

132-497: A compound of Bhūmi ( भूमि ), meaning "Land"; Bala ( बल ), meaning "Strength" or "Power"; Atulya ( अतुल्य ), meaning "Incomparable"; and Tej ( तेज ), meaning "Power". Thus, Bhūmibala Atulyateja , or Bhumibol Adulyadej as it is transliterated in Thai , can be literally translated as "Strength of the Land, Incomparable Power". Bhumibol came to Thailand in 1928, after his father obtained

198-675: A 15-day monkhood (22 October 1956 – 5 November 1956) at Wat Bowonniwet , as is customary for Buddhist males on the death of elder relatives. He was ordained by the Supreme Patriarch on 22 October 1956 at the Royal Chapel of the Emerald Buddha in the Grand Palace . At this time, Sirikit was appointed his regent. She was later appointed Queen Regent ( Somdej Phra Boromarajininat ) in recognition of this. Although Bhumibol

264-600: A Thai sovereign to rule under the system of constitutional monarchy . During the ceremony, he pledged that he would "reign with righteousness for the benefit and happiness of the Siamese people". Notable elements associated with the coronation included the Bahadrabith Throne  [ th ] beneath the Great White Umbrella of State and royal regalia and utensils. In 1950 on Coronation Day, Bhumibol's consort

330-727: A bloodless coup. The junta, led by the Sonthi Boonyaratglin , Commander of the Army, called itself the Council for Democratic Reform under the Constitutional Monarchy . It accused the deposed prime minister and his regime of crimes, including lèse majesté, and pledged its loyalty to Bhumibol. Martial law was declared, the constitution repealed and the October elections cancelled. Protests and political meetings were banned. The king's role in

396-535: A break from politics. Due to the election result, Bhumibol took the unprecedented step of calling the elections undemocratic. In May 2006, the Sondhi Limthongkul -owned Manager Daily newspaper published a series of articles describing the " Finland Plot ", alleging that Thaksin and former members of the Communist Party of Thailand planned to overthrow the king and seize control of the nation. No evidence

462-724: A certificate from Harvard. His father died of kidney failure in September 1929, when Bhumibol was less than two years old. He briefly attended Mater Dei school in Bangkok , but in 1933 his mother took her family to Switzerland, where he continued his education at the École nouvelle de la Suisse romande in Lausanne . In 1934 Bhumibol was given his first camera, which ignited his lifelong enthusiasm for photography. When Bhumibol's childless uncle Prajadhipok abdicated in 1935, his nine-year-old brother Ananda Mahidol became King Rama VIII. However,

528-570: A coup d'état resulted in a postponement, and court astrologers determined that 2 March 1949 was the most auspicious date. While doing his degree in Switzerland, Bhumibol visited Paris frequently. It was in Paris that he first met Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitiyakara, daughter of the Thai ambassador to France ( Nakkhatra Mangala ) and a great-granddaughter of King Chulalongkorn and thus a cousin of Bhumibol. She

594-663: A judgment but I cannot say", he said. "Either way the ruling goes, it will be bad for the country, there will be mistakes". The tribunal later acquitted the Democrat Party, but dissolved the Thai Rak Thai Party and banned 111 of its executives from politics for five years. The junta-appointed Constitution Drafting Assembly later tried to use the King in a propaganda campaign to increase public support for its widely criticised draft constitution . The CDA placed billboards saying "Love

660-447: A large number of deaths when the military was brought in to control protesters. The situation became increasingly critical as police and military forces clashed with protesters. Violence and riots spread to many areas of the capital with rumours of a rift among the armed forces. Amidst the fear of civil war, Bhumibol intervened. He summoned Suchinda and the leader of the pro-democracy movement, retired Major General Chamlong Srimuang , to

726-526: A series of military dictatorships. However, during his interview given to the BBC in 1979, the king reiterated that the monarchy should remain impartial and be in peaceful co-existence with everybody. Bhumibol invited public criticism in a 2005 speech, but the lèse majesté laws have not been revoked by the Thai parliament yet. In the early years of his reign, during the government of military dictator Plaek Phibunsongkhram , Bhumibol had no real political power and

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792-424: A televised audience, and urged them to find a peaceful resolution. At the height of the crisis, the sight of both men appearing together on their knees (in accordance with royal protocol) made a strong impression on the nation. Bhumibol then signed Suchinda's amnesty decree that applied to both sides of the conflict, with the reason to protect security and unity of the country. Suchinda resigned soon afterwards. It

858-622: A total of 18 routes. It is located on the eastbound side near Khukhanan Loi Fah [Parallel Elevated Highway] Police Station in Thawi Watthana. It moved from the original location, Phutthamonthon Sai 2 Road in Bang Khae with services first commencing on April 1, 2019. 13°46′53.71″N 100°25′20.04″E  /  13.7815861°N 100.4222333°E  / 13.7815861; 100.4222333 Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej (5 December 1927 – 13 October 2016), on whom

924-498: A week before the scheduled verdict, Bhumibol gave a rare speech to the Supreme Administrative Court (the president of which is also a member of the constitutional tribunal). "You have the responsibility to prevent the country from collapsing", he warned them in the speech, which was shown on all national television channels simultaneously during the evening. "The nation needs political parties   ... In my mind, I have

990-593: Is a main road in Bangkok 's Thonburi side (i.e. the west bank of Chao Phraya River ) and Bangkok Metropolitan Region . The majority of the road constitutes Highway 338 (ทางหลวงแผ่นดินหมายเลข 338). Borommaratchachonnani Road has a starting point at the Borommaratchachonnani Intersection in the areas of Bangkok Noi and Bang Phlat 's Pinklao neighbourhood in Bangkok. It then heads to the west through Taling Chan and Thawi Watthana , extending past

1056-567: Is why Bhumibol was the only monarch to be born in the US . Bhumibol had an older sister, Princess Galyani Vadhana , and an older brother, Prince Ananda Mahidol . His US birth certificate read simply "Baby Songkla", as the parents had to consult his uncle, King Prajadhipok, then head of the House of Chakri, for an auspicious name. The king chose a name of Sanskrit origin, Bhumibol Adulyadej ( Devanagari : भूमिबल अतुल्यतेज, IAST : Bhūmibala Atulyateja ),

1122-426: The 1949 constitution , which returned to the monarchy many of the powers it had lost by the 1932 Revolution . In December 1946, the Siamese government allocated several hundred thousand dollars for the ceremonial cremation of the remains of the late King Ananda, a necessary preliminary to the coronation of Bhumibol who was required by religious custom to light the funeral pyre. Unsettled conditions in 1947 following

1188-565: The 1997 Asian financial crisis , which triggered political instability in Thailand during the 2000s. Bhumibol's reign was characterized by several periods of gradual democratization punctuated by frequent military coups, the last of which occurred in 2014 . Forbes estimated Bhumibol's fortune—including property and investments managed by the Crown Property Bureau , a body that is neither private nor government-owned (assets managed by

1254-537: The Southern Bus Terminal , Southern Railway , Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre , Thongsuk College , Thonburi 2 Hospital, Phutthamonthon , Mahidol University main campus and Prince Mahidol Hall , the Thai Human Imagery Museum etc. Moreover, the road serves as the location of Borommaratchachonnani Depot, the main terminal and depot of BMTA 's bus zone 6 , which provides

1320-474: The Bureau were owned by the crown as an institution, not by the monarch as an individual) —to be US$ 30  billion in 2010, and he headed the magazine's list of the "world's richest royals" from 2008 to 2013. In 2014, Bhumibol's wealth was again listed as US$ 30  billion. After a period of deteriorating health which left him hospitalized on several occasions, Bhumibol died in 2016 at Siriraj Hospital . He

1386-467: The Capital, and command that all the citizens shall remain calm whilst all the government officers shall serve the orders issued by Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat. This Proclamation shall come into force immediately. Done this 16th Day of September, Buddhist Era 2500 (1957). Sarit later admitted in a rare interview with foreign correspondent that the king had no involvement and did not acknowledge anything about

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1452-545: The Election Commissioners. On 14 July, Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda addressed graduating cadets of the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy , telling them that the Thai military must serve the nation and the king—not the government. On 20 July, Bhumibol signed a royal decree endorsing new House elections for 15 October 2006 . In an unprecedented act, the King wrote a note on

1518-610: The Gymnase Classique Cantonal de Lausanne , and by 1945 had begun studying sciences at the University of Lausanne , when World War II ended and the family was able to return to Thailand. Bhumibol ascended the throne following the death by gunshot wound of his brother, King Ananda Mahidol , on 9 June 1946, under circumstances that remain unclear. While an initial government statement stated that Ananda had accidentally shot himself, an investigation committee ruled this

1584-458: The King. Care about the King. Vote in the referendum" throughout northeast Thailand , where opposition to the junta was greatest. On 20 April 2009, Thaksin claimed in an interview with the Financial Times that Bhumibol had been briefed by Privy Councillors Prem Tinsulanonda and Surayud Chulanont about their plans to stage the 2006 coup. He claimed that General Panlop Pinmanee , a leader of

1650-521: The Thai equivalent of "Bhumibol Adulyadej R[ex])". In 1957, a military coup overthrew the government of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram with allegations of lèse-majesté , corruption and manipulation of the election held earlier that year. This began a new and long-lasting relationship between the monarch and military, leading some to perceive that the king condones the Thammasat University massacre in defense of his throne, and support

1716-502: The United States, Bhumibol spent his early life in Switzerland, in the aftermath of the 1932 Siamese revolution , which toppled Thailand’s centuries-old absolute monarchy , ruled at the time by his uncle, King Prajadhipok (Rama VII). He ascended to the throne in June 1946, succeeding his brother, King Ananda Mahidol , (Rama VIII), who had died under mysterious circumstances. In

1782-513: The anniversary, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan presented Bhumibol with the United Nations Development Programme 's first Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award on 26 May 2006. National holidays were observed on 9 June and 12–13 June 2006. On 9 June, the king and queen appeared on the balcony of Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall before hundreds of thousands of people. The official royal barge procession on 12 June

1848-427: The blame, but whatever happens, the King will only get praise." On Saturday, 23 September 2006, the junta warned it would "urgently retaliate against foreign reporters whose coverage has been deemed insulting to the monarchy." Prem did help secure the appointment of Surayud Chulanont , another member of the King's Privy Council, as Premier, and allegedly had a say in the appointment of Surayud's Cabinet. Critics claimed

1914-493: The cabinet was full of "Prem's boys". The junta appointed a constitutional tribunal to rule on alleged polling fraud involving the Thai Rak Thai and Democrat political parties. Guilty rulings would have dissolved both parties, Thailand's largest and oldest, respectively, and banned the parties' leadership from politics for five years. The weeks leading up to the verdicts saw rising political tensions. On 24 May 2007, about

1980-689: The country. The ensuing chaos was used as a pretext for a military coup, which Bhumibol backed and described as a manifestation of the people's will. The event that catalyzed the coup was the Thammasat University massacre , carried out in the name of defending Bhumibol's throne. The victorious military junta submitted three names to the king as possible premiers: Deputy President of the king's Privy Council Prakob Hutasingh  [ th ] , right-wing Bangkok Governor Thamnoon Thien-ngern  [ th ] , and staunchly anti-communist Supreme Court judge Thanin Kraivichien . Bhumibol chose Thanin as

2046-434: The coup was the subject of much speculation among Thai analysts and the international media, although publication of such speculation was banned in Thailand. The king had an audience with Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda at the same time that special forces troops were mobilised. Anti-coup protesters claimed that Prem was the mastermind of the coup, although the military claimed otherwise and banned any discussion of

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2112-539: The coup until it had been done successfully. During Sarit's dictatorship, the monarchy was revitalised. Bhumibol attended public ceremonies, toured the provinces and patronised development projects, he also visited the United States in June 1960, addressing Congress, and many countries in Europe, including a visit to Rome, hosted by PM Giovanni Gronchi , in September 1960. Under Sarit, the practice of crawling in front of royalty during audiences, banned by King Chulalongkorn ,

2178-584: The course of his rule, Bhumibol presided over Thailand's transformation into a major U.S. ally and a regional economic power. Between 1985 and 1994, Thailand was the world's fastest growing economy, according to the World Bank , and in the 1990s was predicted by many international journalists to be the next " Asian Tiger ". During this period, the country also saw the emergence of an urban middle class as well as mass political participation in its electoral politics. However, this rapid economic growth came to an end with

2244-506: The deaths of Emperor Hirohito of Japan and Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein . In 1992, Bhumibol played a key role in Thailand's transition to a democratic system. The 1991 Thai coup d'état on 23 February returned Thailand to military dictatorship . After a general election in 1992 , the majority parties invited General Suchinda Kraprayoon , a leader of the coup group, to be prime minister. This caused much dissent, which escalated into demonstrations called Black May that led to

2310-565: The dictator Sarit was Bhumibol's tool. Political scientist Thak Chaloemtiarana writes that Sarit used Bhumibol in order to build his own credibility. Following Sarit's death General Thanom Kittikachorn rose to power to lead Thailand's military dictatorship, ultimately challenged by the 1973 Thai popular uprising . Bhumibol initially asked student protestors to disband. When police attacked and killed dozens of students, sparking protest riots, Bhumibol announced general Thanom's resignation and departure from Thailand. According to William Stevenson,

2376-481: The end of the 100-day mourning period. Despite his interest in science and technology, he changed his major and enrolled in law and political science to prepare for his duties as head of state. His uncle, Rangsit, Prince of Chainat , was appointed Prince Regent . In Bhumibol's name, Prince Rangsit acknowledged a military coup that overthrew the government of Thamrongnawasawat in November 1947. The regent also signed

2442-466: The family remained in Switzerland and the affairs of the head of state were conducted by a regency council. They returned to Thailand for only two months in 1938. In 1942, Bhumibol became a jazz enthusiast, and started to play the saxophone, a passion that he kept throughout his life. He received the baccalauréat des lettres (high-school diploma with a major in French literature , Latin , and Greek) from

2508-399: The field marshal to resign to avoid a coup. Phibunsongkhram refused. That evening, Sarit Thanarat seized power. Two hours later Bhumibol imposed martial law throughout the kingdom. Bhumibol issued a proclamation appointing Sarit as "military defender of the capital" without anyone countersigning the proclamation. It included the following: Whereas it appears that the public administration by

2574-511: The foot of the bridge linking it to Charansanitwong Road . It was later expanded to form the Bangkok Noi-Nakhon Chai Si Highway (ทางหลวงสายบางกอกน้อย-นครชัยศรี) in 1979 and completed in 1984. At first, the road had no officially designated name, therefore it was informally referred to as Pinklao-Nakhon Chai Si Road (ถนนปิ่นเกล้า-นครชัยศรี). It wasn't until the year 1991 that King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) graciously named

2640-475: The government under the premiership of Field Marshal P. Phibunsongkhram is untrustworthy, and that the government could not maintain the public order; and whereas the military, led by Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat, has successfully taken over the public administration and now acts as the Military Defender of the Capital; now, therefore, I do hereby appoint Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat as the Military Defender of

2706-532: The king had asked the three tyrants to avoid bloodshed; although the three tyrants had agreed, they later changed their minds. Eventually, it led to the incidents of October 1973. Bhumibol distanced himself from the Thai military after Thanom's fall. Political events in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos brought powerful guerrilla and communist movements into power or prominence, which threatened the Thai monarchy and political establishment. Fearing unrest, Bhumibol began to court

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2772-554: The land of gilded elephants and white umbrellas". The ceremony was performed by Bhumibol's ageing grandmother, Savang Vadhana . Bhumibol and Sirikit had four children: After presiding over the long-delayed, ceremonial cremation of his brother Ananda Mahidol , Bhumibol was crowned King of Thailand on 5 May 1950 in the Phaisan Thaksin Throne Hall in the Grand Palace in Bangkok. It was the first coronation ceremony of

2838-538: The localities of Phutthamonthon , Sam Phran in Nakhon Pathom and terminates at the intersection with Petchkasem Road in the area of Nakhon Chai Si . The total length of the road is 33.984 km (21.117 mi). The road as it is today originated from the opening of Phra Pinklao Bridge across to Phra Nakhon area in 1973. The bridge was extended upon by the construction of the Somdet Phra Pinklao Road from

2904-569: The military in 1975, visiting camps throughout the country, and publicly warning of internal and external threats. At this time, Bhumibol increasingly cultivated far-right militias and paramilitary forces, including the Red Gaurs and the Village Scouts, warning that students and political dissidents planned to bring communists to power in Thailand. Finally, Bhumibol provoked outrage among students and legal groups by inviting general Thanom back into

2970-559: The most suitable premier, leading student protesters to flee to join the communists in the jungle. Thanin was overthrown in a military coup in October 1977 led by General Kriangsak Chamanan . Kriangsak was succeeded in 1980 by the popular Army Commander-in-Chief, General Prem Tinsulanonda , who later became the Privy Council President. Bhumibol's refusal to endorse military coups in April 1981 and September 1985 ultimately led to

3036-1305: The only those with tickets can enter the paid area to board. The station covers an area of 37 rai (about 11 acres). The main station building is an air-conditioned building with a total of 4 floors, called SC Plaza. Moreover, the station is surrounded by many private southern courier service companies. Night market, Saitai Center is next to the station. The following BMTA and affiliated routes serve this station: Y70E (Salaya–Mo Chit BTS Station), 28 (Bangkok Bus Terminal (Taling Chan)–Victory Monument), 35 (Bangkok Bus Terminal (Taling Chan)–Wat Son), 40 (Bangkok Bus Terminal (Taling Chan)–Bangkok Railway Station), 66 (Chaeng Watthana Government Complex–Bangkok Bus Terminal (Taling Chan)), 79 (Phutthamonthon Sai 2–Ratchaprasong), 123 (Om Yai–Sanam Luang), 124 (Salaya–Sanam Luang), 146 (Taling Chan–Bang Khae), 149 (Phutthamonthon Sai 2–Bangkok Bus Terminal (Ekkamai)), 511 (Pak Nam–Bangkok Bus Terminal (Taling Chan)), 515 (Central Plaza Salaya–Victory Monument), 516 (Bua Thong Kheha–Thewet), 539 (Om Noi–Victory Monument), 556 (Wat Rai Khing–Makkasan). Borommaratchachonnani Road Borommaratchachonnani Road ( Thai : ถนนบรมราชชนนี , RTGS :  Thanon Borommaratchachonnani , pronounced [tʰā.nǒn bɔ̄ː.rōm.mā.râːt.t͡ɕʰā.t͡ɕʰōn.nā.nīː] ),

3102-463: The public. Bhumibol, in a speech on 26 April 2006, responded, "Asking for a Royally-appointed prime minister is undemocratic. It is, pardon me, a mess. It is irrational". After publicly claiming victory in the boycotted April parliamentary elections , Thaksin Shinawatra had a private audience with the king. A few hours later, Thaksin appeared on national television to announce that he would be taking

3168-418: The road "Borommaratchachonnani" ('King's mother') in honour of his mother, Princess Srinagarindra . In 1998, a parallel Borommaratchachonnani Elevated Highway was opened to alleviate traffic jams. The total length of the elevated road is 14 km (8.6 mi). Borommaratchachonnani Road runs adjacent to many notable establishments and locations such as Lotus's Pinklao , Central Plaza Pinklao , Chaophraya Hospital,

3234-518: The royal decree calling for a clean and fair election. That very day, Bhumibol underwent spinal surgery. The 60th anniversary ( diamond jubilee ) celebrations of the king's accession to the throne were a series of events marking Bhumibol's reign in June 2006. Events included a royal barge procession on the Chao Phraya River, fireworks displays, art exhibitions, and the pardoning of 25,000 prisoners, concerts, and dance performances. Tied in with

3300-694: The station. And again to present location in 1994. That is why the station has many names, including "Bangkok Bus Terminal (Taling Chan)" and "Southern Bus Terminal". Since the location has been relocated many times, therefore popularly referred to as "New Southern Bus Terminal" by Thais. Not to be confused with another station that used to be on Borommaratchachonnani Road near CentralPlaza Pinklao still in service but reduced to only van and minibus segment. The old station often known as Bangkok Bus Terminal (Pinklao) or Old Southern Bus Terminal. The two stations are approximately 5 km (3 mi) apart. The current station operated on November 1, 2007. It operates like an airport,

3366-559: The title of Bhumibol the Great was posthumously conferred, was the ninth king of the Chakri dynasty of Thailand , titled Rama IX , from 1946 until his death in 2016. His reign of 70 years and 126 days is the longest of any Thai monarch, the longest on record of any independent Asian sovereign, and the third-longest verified reign of any monarch of a sovereign state in history (after Louis XIV and Elizabeth II ). Born in

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3432-494: The topic. In a BBC interview, Thitinan Pongsudhirak of Chulalongkorn University noted, "This coup was nothing short of Thaksin versus the King   ... He [the king] is widely seen as having implicitly endorsed the coup." In the same interview, social critic Sulak Sivaraksa claimed, "Without his [the king's] involvement, the coup would have been impossible." Sulak added that the king is "very skillful. He never becomes obviously involved. If this coup goes wrong, Sonthi will get

3498-405: The victory of forces loyal to the government, despite some violence – including, in 1981, the seizure of Bangkok by rebel forces. The coups led many to believe that Bhumibol had misjudged Thai society and that his credibility as an impartial mediator between various political and military factions had been compromised. In 1989, Bhumibol became the world's longest-reigning living monarch following

3564-492: Was attended by the king and queen and royal visitors from 26 other countries. On 13 June, a state banquet for the royal visitors was held in the newly constructed Rama IX Throne Hall at the Grand Palace, the first official function of the hall. The Chiang Mai Royal Floral Expo was also held to honour the anniversary. On the evening of 19 September, the Thai military overthrew the Thaksin government and seized control of Bangkok in

3630-609: Was born at Cambridge Hospital (now Mount Auburn Hospital ) in Cambridge, Massachusetts , United States, on 5 December 1927, during the reign of his paternal uncle, King Rama VII (Prajadhipok). He was the youngest son of Prince Mahidol Adulyadej , the Prince of Songkla, and his commoner wife Mom Sangwan (later Princess Srinagarindra , the Princess Mother). His father was enrolled in the public health program at Harvard University , which

3696-638: Was declared the national day , replacing the previous national day, the anniversary of the Siamese revolution of 1932 (24 June). Upon Sarit's death on 8 December 1963, an unprecedented 21 days of mourning were declared in the palace. A royal five-tier umbrella shaded his body while it lay in state. Long-time royal adviser Phraya Srivisaravacha later noted that no Prime Minister ever had such an intimate relationship with Bhumibol as Sarit. Bhumibol biographer Paul Handley, in The King Never Smiles , writes that

3762-529: Was ever produced to verify the existence of such a plot, and Thaksin and his Thai Rak Thai party vehemently denied the accusations and sued the accusers. In a rare, televised speech to senior judges, Bhumibol requested the judiciary to take action to resolve the political crisis. On 8 May 2006, the Constitutional Court invalidated the results of the April elections and ordered new elections scheduled for 15 October 2006 . The Criminal Court later jailed

3828-414: Was highly revered by the people in Thailand —some saw him as close to divine . Notable political activists and Thai citizens who criticized the king or the institution of monarchy were often forced into exile or suffered frequent imprisonments. His cremation was held in 2017 at the royal crematorium at Sanam Luang . His son, Vajiralongkorn , succeeded him as King Rama X of Thailand. Bhumibol

3894-535: Was hospitalised in Lausanne, Sirikit visited him frequently. She met his mother, who asked her to continue her studies nearby so that Bhumibol could get to know her better. Bhumibol selected for her a boarding school in Lausanne, Riante Rive. A quiet engagement in Lausanne followed on 19 July 1949, and they were married on 28 April 1950, just a week before his coronation. Their wedding was described by The New York Times as "the shortest, simplest royal wedding ever held in

3960-425: Was little more than a ceremonial figure under the military-dominated government. In August 1957, six months after parliamentary elections, General Sarit Thanarat accused the government of Field Marshal Phibunsongkhram of lèse-majesté due to its conduct of the 2,500th anniversary celebration of Buddhism . On 16 September 1957, Phibunsongkhram went to Bhumibol to seek support for his government. Bhumibol advised

4026-405: Was made queen ( Somdej Phra Boromarajini ). The date of his coronation is celebrated each 5 May in Thailand as Coronation Day , a public holiday. The royal couple spent their honeymoon at Hua Hin before they returned to Switzerland, where the king completed his university studies. They returned to Thailand in 1951. Following the death of his grandmother Queen Savang Vadhana , Bhumibol entered

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4092-609: Was one of the few occasions in which Bhumibol directly and publicly intervened in a political conflict. A general election was held shortly afterward, leading to a civilian government. Weeks before the April 2006 legislative election , the Democrat Party -led opposition and the People's Alliance for Democracy petitioned Bhumibol to appoint a replacement prime minister and cabinet. Demands for royal intervention were met with much criticism from

4158-585: Was revived in certain situations and the royal-sponsored Thammayut Nikaya order was revitalised. For the first time since the absolute monarchy was overthrown, a king was conveyed up the Chao Phraya River in a Royal Barge Procession to offer robes at temples. Other disused ceremonies from the classical period of the Chakri Dynasty , such as the royally patronised ploughing ceremony (Thai: พิธีพืชมงคล), were also revived. Bhumibol's birthday (5 December)

4224-577: Was sometimes referred to as King Rama IX in English, Thais referred to him as Nai Luang or Phra Chao Yu Hua , which translated to "the King" and "Lord Upon our Heads", respectively. He was also called Chao Chiwit ("Lord of Life"). Formally, he was referred to as Phrabat Somdet Phra Chao Yu Hua or, in legal documents, Phrabat Somdet Phra Paraminthara Maha Bhumibol Adulyadej , and in English as "His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej". He signed his name as ภูมิพลอดุลยเดช ป.ร. (Bhumibol Adulyadej Por Ror,

4290-502: Was then 15 years old and training to be a concert pianist. On 4 October 1948, while Bhumibol was driving a Fiat Topolino on the Geneva - Lausanne road, he collided with the rear of a braking truck 10 km outside Lausanne. He injured his back, suffered paralysis in half of his face and incurred cuts on his face that cost him the sight of his right eye . Both the royal cremation and coronation had to be postponed once more. While he

4356-488: Was virtually impossible. Three palace aides ( Chit Singhaseni , But Patthamasarin , and Chaliao Pathumrot ) were eventually convicted of regicide , and were executed by firing squad on 17 February 1955, after their appeals for clemency were rejected by Bhumibol. A third possibility, that Bhumibol accidentally shot his brother while the brothers played with their pistols, was never officially considered. Bhumibol succeeded his brother, but returned to Switzerland before

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