| Thai Royal Family - Thai KingWe will take you | | | | birthday at which time they celebrate this national |
| from the present Thai King to the former great | | | | holiday so as to honor their beloved King.The Thai |
| Thai Kings that can be found in the history books | | | | King holds a much anticipated birthday speech |
| of Thailand.The Thai King is the ceremonial head | | | | each year and the King is known for speaking his |
| of state in a constitutional monarchy. Thailand has | | | | mind and having his speech not being affected by |
| been a constitutional monarchy since 1932 just | | | | political influence of any current government.The |
| following a government overthrow.The present | | | | former government of Prime Minister Takshin has |
| Thai King, His Majesty King Bhumibol, ascended | | | | been the focus of a recent speech and soon |
| the throne fourteen years later, after King | | | | after his government was overthrown during a |
| Ananda Mahidol, his older brother, passed away. | | | | coup d'etat..King Rama IV - King Rama VThe |
| King Bhumibol is the longest reigning king in Thai | | | | royal Chakri dynasty has held the power ruled |
| history and the longest ruling monarch in the | | | | Thailand since 1782. King Rama IV and that King's |
| world.Respect for the Thai KingThais show great | | | | son, King Rama V, has been very popular and |
| deal of love and respect to the Thai king. No one | | | | beloved Thai King's alongside with the present |
| insults or talks negative about the Thai King and | | | | Thai King, King Bhumibol.King Rama IV and his son |
| the Thai Royal Family as any criticism the Thai | | | | have been credited with the modernization of the |
| monarchy will result deep offense to Thai people | | | | Thai Kingdom in the end of the 19th and the |
| and can cause legal actions.It is not permitted | | | | beginning of the 20th centuries.Royal Thai King |
| under Thai law to speak in a negative way of the | | | | Rama V's changes included for example the 1st |
| Thai Royal family and especially the Thai King. This | | | | hospitals that were available to all people and for |
| offence can carry a maximum sentence of seven | | | | building an extensive Thai rail network. More |
| years in jail which is a horrible sentence | | | | importantly, King Rama IV was also the Thai |
| considering the poor state in which Thai jails | | | | monarch that finally got rid of slavery which has |
| are.The majority of Thai households have pictures | | | | been a blemish on Thai history.You can read more |
| or paintings of the Thai King and even his | | | | about this history of the Thai Royal Family at the |
| predecessors in their homes. Many Thai people | | | | authors website. Please visit Thai Kings section of |
| meet up in the famed Sanam Luang Bangkok | | | | the Bangkok Guide for the remaining half of this |
| Park each December when the Thai King has his | | | | article. |