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.

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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? (See below) 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 happening often นานๆ ครั้ง, ไม่บ่อย
wound – an injury in which your skin or flesh is damaged บาดแผล
ambassador – a senior official who lives in a foreign country and represents his or her own country there เอกอัครราชทูต
engaged to be married – officially said that you intend to get married หมั้น
coronation ceremony – a ceremony to officially crown (to put a crown on the head of) a new king or queen พิธีราชาภิเษก, อินทราภิเษก, พิธีสวมมงกุฎ,
throne – a special chair used by a king or queen to sit on at ceremonies ราชบัลลังก์