– “His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej” of Thailand was the longest-reigning monarch in the world, serving for 70 years and 126 days. Following him are Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, who reigned for 64 years, and Sultan Abdullah of Malaysia, who reigned for 58 years.
– “His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej Mahitolathibodhi Chakkrinakharat Siamintharacha Borommanathbophit” is his full name.
– He ascended the throne on June 9, 1946, and passed away on October 13, 2016, reaching the age of 88. As we, the Thai people, live under his royal patronage, we would like everyone to remember his stories once again through these 20 facts.

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,” meaning “Strength of the Land,” by King Prajadhipok (Rama VII).
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 current spelling.
5. “Songkla” was the original surname used by his father, Prince Mahidol Adulyadej, 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 as “H.H. Bhummibol Mahidol,” with ID number 449.
8. He started wearing glasses before he turned 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, beginning 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 “The Candlelight.”
12. He won a gold medal in sailing at the fourth Southeast Asian Games (now SEA Games) in 1967.
13. After an accident involving glass shards in his eye while in Switzerland at age 20, he had to wear a prosthetic eye on the right side since 1948.
14. He got engaged to Princess Sirikit Kitiyakara on July 19, 1949, and married at Sra Pathum Palace on April 28, 1950.
15. He was the first monarch 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 Thai citizens.
17. The Chitralada Palace project was funded by 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 public.
19. He invented the computer fonts used today, such as “Chitralada” and “Phuping.”
20. He awarded degrees to graduates for the first time in 1950, with a total of 490 ceremonies, each lasting at least 3 hours.

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Thanks for the information from: www.mthai.com
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