Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Monarchy
All Thai kings are referred to as 'Rama', one of the incarnations of the Hindu god Vishnu.
The Thais' relationship with their king is deeply spiritual and intensely personal. Most
view their king as a father figure (the king's birthday is the national celebration of Father's
Day). The reigning monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, also known as Rama IX, inherited
automatic reverence when he assumed the throne in 1946, but he captured the Thai
people's hearts with his actions.
In June 2006, the king celebrated his 60th year on the throne, an event regarded by many
Thais as bittersweet because the ageing king may soon leave the helm of the Thai nation.
His son, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, has been chosen to succeed him, but it is the
king's daughter, Princess Mahachakri Sirindhorn, that many Thais feel a deeper connection
with because she has followed in her father's philanthropic footsteps.
It's worth mentioning that, in Thai society, not only is criticising the monarchy an ex-
treme social faux pas, it's also illegal.
