NOTE:
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand was the world's longest-reigning monarch, serving for 70 years and 126 days. He was followed by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, who reigned for 64 years, and Sultan Abdullah of Malaysia, who reigned for 58 years.
His full name is His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej Mahidol of the Chakri Dynasty.
He ascended the throne on June 9, 1946 and passed away on October 13, 2016, living a total of 88 years.

December 5 of each year is an important day, widely recognized by the Thai people as “Father's Day”, which coincides with the birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, King Rama IX of the Chakri Dynasty, born on December 5, 1927.

As we, the Thai people, live under His Majesty's benevolence, we would like everyone to remember His story once again through these 20 points.

1. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej was born on Monday, December 5, 1927 at 08:45 AM.

2. He was born at Mount Auburn Hospital in Massachusetts, USA, with Dr. W. Stewart Whittemore as the attending physician.

3. “Baby Songkla” was his first name on his birth certificate before being named “Bhumibol” by King Prajadhipok (Rama VII), which means “Strength of the Land.”

4. Initially, he spelled “Adulyadej” without the letter “y” as he followed the spelling of his father's name, “Mahidol Adulyadej,” but later adopted the spelling “Adulyadej,” which is still used today.

5. “Songkla” is the original surname used by his father, Prince Mahidol Adulyadej Vikrom, while in the United States.

6. He had a nickname “Lek” or “Little Prince.”

7. He attended Mater Dei School at the age of 5, registered under the name “H.H Bhummibol Mahidol,” with ID number 449.

8. He began wearing glasses before the age of 10.

9. His first camera was a “Coconet Midget,” which he bought with his own savings at the age of 8.

10. He had exceptional musical talent, starting music lessons at age 13 and could play various instruments, including piano, guitar, saxophone, and accordion, the latter being the first instrument he learned.

11. He composed his first song at the age of 18, titled “Candlelight.”

12. He won a gold medal in sailing at the fourth Southeast Asian Games in 1967.

13. After an accident in Switzerland at age 20, where glass shards injured his eye, he wore a prosthetic eye on the right side since 1948.

14. He got engaged to Princess Sirikit Kitiyakara on July 19, 1949, and married her at Sra Pathum Palace on April 28, 1950.

15. He was the first king in the world to receive a patent for an invention, the “Chai Pattana Turbine,” in 1993.

16. There are currently over 3,000 projects initiated by him that have improved the lives of the Thai people.

17. The royal project, Suan Chitralada, was funded with his personal wealth of 32,866.73 baht from selling music books and milk.

18. He was the first to introduce tilapia farming in Thailand, using the swimming pool at Chitralada Palace as a breeding pond before distributing the fish to the Department of Fisheries for further distribution to the people.

19. He invented the computer fonts “Chitralada” and “Phu Phing,” which are widely used today.

20. He awarded degrees to graduates for the first time in 1950, with a total of 490 ceremonies, each lasting at least 3 hours.

SOURCE: www.ananda.co.th, www.silpa-mag.com, Workpoint News