© Thai Monarchy -  Travelers' Net

His Majesty King Bhumipol Adulyadej (Rama IX) is very popular with his subjects - to say the least. The people of Thailand worship their present King side by side with the greatest kings, legends and gods of their history. It must be said that the King of Thailand is a special and colorful person as well as a competent and benign monarch. In spite of his modest looks and style, His Majesty the King holds a personality full of surprises.

Best of two worlds
Born in Boston and educated abroad, the King combines the best of two worlds. He and his wife, Queen Sirikit are locomotives for a great many national and local initiatives.
The advice of the learned King is willingly heard among politicians, administrators and national planners alike. It was His Majesty for instance, who initiated and master planned the latest measures to deal with the annual flooding of Bangkok.

Traveling pair
The King and Queen of Thailand are a traveling pair. They have dedicated much of their time and efforts to pay visits to even the remotest parts of their kingdom, studying the local characteristics and problems, trying to help by directing the spotlight of awareness towards the poor and initiating projects and attracting and setting up funds, when possible.

Number one yachtsman
Apart from being an educated and active ruler of and traveler in his kingdom, His Majesty finds time for the pursuit of "hobbies", which he not only practices for his own pleasure, but -true to his style- makes available for his beloved nation.
His Majesty the King is an enthusiastic and skilled yachtsman. He was awarded a gold medal in yachting at the 4th SEAP Games, in which he sailed a yacht of his own design!

Skilled musician
His Majesty is also an avid lover of jazz music and an accomplished saxophonist. Among the songs he has written are The Candlelight Blues, Lay Kram goes Dixie, Friday Night Rag and HM Blues. He has recorded live music LP's and CD's and has also composed alma maters for Thailand's top universities - Chulalongkorn, Thammasat and Kasetsart.