Bhumibol Adulyadej is the King of Thailand. He is a constitutional monarch, and the longest serving monarch ever for Thailand. He has occasionally intervened in Thai politics, although most of what he does involves using his wealth for Thai development projects. Bhumibol Adulyadej is one of the world's richest men.
Bhumibol Adulyadej was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on December 5th, 1927. He was brought to Thailand for his early school years in Bangkok, and then went to high school in Switzerland at the Ecole Nouvelle de la Suisse Romande and the Gymnase of Lausanne. His older brother became the King of Thailand while he was studying aboard.
Bhumibol Adulyadej stayed in Europe until 1945. When Bhumibol Adulyadej's brother was killed by a gunshot to the head in his bedroom under unexplained circumstances, Bhumibol Adulyadej started preparing for the day that he would rule Thailand. He placed his uncle in charge as Prince Regent so he could finish his schooling.
Bhumibol Adulyadej was crowned King in 1950 on the fifth of May. During his early years Thailand was ruled by a military dictator, and Bhumibol Adulyadej had no real power. In 1957 there was a shift in power, and Bhumibol Adulyadej decreed martial law giving power to an ambitious general to avoid a bloody coup. Bhumibol Adulyadej had greater power as a monarch during the following decades; he became involved in development projects throughout Thailand, and was involved in politics, sometimes appointing Prime Ministers. Throughout the eighties, there were a series of military coups, which were not recognized by the King, but ultimately loyal parties came into control.
In 1992, Thailand started to change to a democracy after many years of military dictatorships. Bhumibol Adulyadej was instrumental in the change as he televised a meeting with the current military leader and pro-democracy leader.
Bhumibol Adulyadej remains alive in his eighties and incredibly popular in Thailand as of early 2007.