Thailand’s Great King
This four-part series is intended to help Thai children learn to read, talk and write about their King in English.
You
can hear this part by clicking here.
Part 2: A Prince becomes a King
Prince Bhumibol never
expected to become King. That was supposed to be the job of his
beloved older brother who actually did become the King of Thailand when
he was only
a young boy of ten.
Although King Ananda and his younger brother Bhumibol were
seldom in
Thailand, they were very popular with the Thai people. Thus,
it was a big shock when King Ananda died of a gunshot wound on June
9, 1946. Prince Bhumibol became King Bhumibol the same day. He was only
18 years old.
The
young King soon returned to Switzerland to continue his studies. There
he met a very beautiful Thai girl named Mom Rajawongse Sirikit
Kitiyakara. She was the daughter of the Thai ambassador to
France. The couple was engaged
to be married
in 1949. They were married on April 28, 1950 after they
returned to Thailand for a brief visit in 1950.
King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit have four children, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, Princess Ubon Ratana, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and Princess Chulabhorn Walairak.
Isn't that an interesting photo? It was taken on May 5, 1950. Do you
know what was happening? The photo was taken during the
grand coronation ceremony
in which King Bhumibol was officially crowned as
King. In this photo, His Majesty is sitting on the throne and wearing
the crown. Shortly afterwards, His Majesty and his new Queen returned
to Switzerland where he completed his studies.
seldom - not often
wound - injury; damage to the body
ambassador - a government official who represents his/her country in another country
engaged to be married - officially said that you intend to get married
coronation ceremony - a ceremony to officially crown (to put a crown on the head of) a new king or queen
throne - a special chair where a king or queen sits for certain ceremonies