His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the ninth king of the Chakri
Dynasty. Born in December 1927, in Cambridge, Massachusetts USA, where his
father, Prince Mahidol of Songkhla was studying medicine at Harvard University,
H.M. King Bhumibol ascended the throne in 1946 and is already the longest
reigning Thai monarch. As a constitutional monarch, he maintains neutrality in
times of crisis.
Thai people have a deep and traditional reverence for the Royal Family. To a
very large degree, H.M. King Bhumibol's popularity mirrors his deep interest in
his people's welfare. He concerns himself intimately with every aspect of Thai
life. He and his wife, H.M. Queen Sirikit devote much of their time to inspect
and improve the welfare of the people.
His Majesty the King's initials the Thai letters Phor Por Ror placed
at the centre of the crest, under the Royal Crown and above the Royal Throne of
the Eight Compass Points, signify that His Majesty is the focus of the entire
nation, binding the people's hearts and loyalty. The yellow colour of the
letters is the colour of His Majesty's day of birth, and the blue colour of the
background that of the monarchy. The surrounding discus (Chakra) with the Thai
numeral 9 means that King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the ninth monarch of the Chakri
Dynasty. The crest is flanked by two seven-tiered umbrellas and topped by a
nine-tiered umbrella, both types symbols of kingship. The four-point border
represents the four regions of the country, in which the people live in peace
and tranquillity under the King's supreme protection, as expressed by the green
colour, which is a symbol of peace and abundance. Each of the four points of the
border has a lotus flower, an offering to His Majesty on the occasion of his
sixth-cycle birthday anniversary. The golden rays around the crest signify His
Majesty's grace and benevolence, which pervade the Kingdom and beyond, and bring
pride and joy to the people throughout the entire land. Beneath the crest, a
blue silk banner bears the inscriptionof the Celebration on the Auspicious
Occasion of His Majesty's 6th-Cycle Birthday Anniversary on 5 December 1999.
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