Milestones on the Royal road
Key dates during His Majesty’s 70 years on the throne:
June 9, 1946: The King ascends the throne at the aged of 18 after his brother’s death;
May 5, 1950: After completing his studies in Switzerland and a week after marrying Her Majesty the Queen, the King returns to Thailand to be crowned Rama IX of the Chakri Dynasty.
October 1973: Scores are killed when a military dictatorship cracks down on protesters. The King intervenes for this first time in his reign, asking the then-prime minister to leave the country before appointing his replacement, which led to a brief blossoming of democracy.
October 1976: Dozens of students protesting against the return of exiled dictator Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn are killed by right-wing militias, police and soldiers in a crackdown at Thammasat University. The massacre prompts a coup, which overthrows democracy and returns the military to power.
May 1992: Hundreds of thousands of pro-democracy protesters fill the streets of Bangkok demanding a return to civilian rule. Dozens are killed during “Black May” after junta leader General Suchinda Kraprayoon assumes the prime minister’s post without election. The King summons the general and pro-democracy leader Chamlong Srimuang to the Palace and admonishes them in a dramatic televised effort to reconcile the two sides, cementing his reputation as a unifying force. The killings stop and Suchinda agrees to resign.
October 11, 1997: The King signs the country’s 16th Constitution into law. Dubbed the “People’s Constitution”, it is the most progressive of Thailand’s charters and a major development for political reform and democracy.
August 2009: His Majesty makes a rare speech, broadcast and aired nationwide, warning that the country could collapse if its feuding political factions do not unite.
September 2009: The King is admitted to Siriraj Hospital, where he is put on a drip and diagnosed with a lung infection. Thousands visit the hospital to sign a book for well-wishers.
August 2013: His Majesty leaves hospital and moves to Klai Kang Won Palace in Hua Hin with Her Majesty the Queen.
August 2014: The King is readmitted to hospital where he spends much of the time.
October 2014: He undergoes an operation to remove his gall bladder.
May 5, 2015: The monarch makes a rare public appearance at the celebration of his 65th anniversary on the throne.
August 11, 2015: The Royal Household Bureau says the King is treated for water on the brain and a chest infection, which he recovers from.
December 15, 2015: The Palace releases footage of the King swearing in a group of judges in his hospital room.
June 7, 2016: The King undergoes heart surgery to widen arteries, according to a statement from the Palace.
June 9, 2016: Thailand marks the 70th anniversary of the King’s ascension to the throne.
September 3, 2016: The Palace announces the King is receiving treatment for a severe blood infection.
October 9, 2016: Doctors treating His Majesty say his condition is unstable as crowds of well-wishers gather outside the hospital.
October 13, 2016: The Royal Household Bureau announces that His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej peacefully passed away at 3.52pm.
– AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
