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98-577: On 26 February 1904, a meeting of some fifty persons at the Oriental Hotel , Bangkok formed the Siam Society. ”The first resolution proposed was to the effect that those there assembled should form themselves into a society for research and investigation in matters appertaining to Siam.” The first meeting of the Society's Council on 10 March 1904 resolved: “The objects of the Society shall be

196-505: A compound of Bhūmi ( भूमि ), meaning "Land"; Bala ( बल ), meaning "Strength" or "Power"; Atulya ( अतुल्य ), meaning "Incomparable"; and Tej ( तेज ), meaning "Power". Thus, Bhūmibala Atulyateja , or Bhumibol Adulyadej as it is transliterated in Thai , can be literally translated as "Strength of the Land, Incomparable Power". Bhumibol came to Thailand in 1928, after his father obtained

294-702: A 15-day monkhood (22 October 1956 – 5 November 1956) at Wat Bowonniwet , as is customary for Buddhist males on the death of elder relatives. He was ordained by the Supreme Patriarch on 22 October 1956 at the Royal Chapel of the Emerald Buddha in the Grand Palace . At this time, Sirikit was appointed his regent. She was later appointed Queen Regent ( Somdej Phra Boromarajininat ) in recognition of this. Although Bhumibol

392-622: A Thai sovereign to rule under the system of constitutional monarchy . During the ceremony, he pledged that he would "reign with righteousness for the benefit and happiness of the Siamese people". Notable elements associated with the coronation included the Bahadrabith Throne  [ th ] beneath the Great White Umbrella of State and royal regalia and utensils. In 1950 on Coronation Day, Bhumibol's consort

490-760: A bloodless coup. The junta, led by the Sonthi Boonyaratglin , Commander of the Army, called itself the Council for Democratic Reform under the Constitutional Monarchy . It accused the deposed prime minister and his regime of crimes, including lèse majesté, and pledged its loyalty to Bhumibol. Martial law was declared, the constitution repealed and the October elections cancelled. Protests and political meetings were banned. The king's role in

588-550: A break from politics. Due to the election result, Bhumibol took the unprecedented step of calling the elections undemocratic. In May 2006, the Sondhi Limthongkul -owned Manager Daily newspaper published a series of articles describing the " Finland Plot ", alleging that Thaksin and former members of the Communist Party of Thailand planned to overthrow the king and seize control of the nation. No evidence

686-699: A century earlier, and a conference on Heritage Protection: The Asian Experience on 25–26 January 2019. The Society conducts occasional exhibitions and workshops. Exhibitions have featured old books, antique textiles, and historic maps. Workshop subjects include the deciphering of ancient scripts and the appreciation of antique pottery. The Society has assembled a collection of valuable objects as donations from members and others, including 96 pieces of sculpture, 60 religious paintings, 110 pieces of ceramics, 34 ancient maps, 400-plus pieces of textiles, over 700 woodcarvings, plus miscellaneous artifacts including Khon masks and puppets. Many of these pieces are displayed around

784-739: A certificate from Harvard. His father died of kidney failure in September 1929, when Bhumibol was less than two years old. He briefly attended Mater Dei school in Bangkok , but in 1933 his mother took her family to Switzerland, where he continued his education at the École nouvelle de la Suisse romande in Lausanne . In 1934 Bhumibol was given his first camera, which ignited his lifelong enthusiasm for photography. When Bhumibol's childless uncle Prajadhipok abdicated in 1935, his nine-year-old brother Ananda Mahidol became King Rama VIII. However,

882-570: A common name, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group . The hotel opened its renowned Oriental Spa in 1993 and finished a complete renovation of its rooms and suites in 2003. In 2006, The Oriental, Bangkok celebrated its 130th anniversary. In September 2008, the hotel formally changed its name from The Oriental, Bangkok to Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok. The hotel has contained 331 rooms, including 60 unique suites. The two-story Authors' Wing,

980-584: A coup d'état resulted in a postponement, and court astrologers determined that 2 March 1949 was the most auspicious date. While doing his degree in Switzerland, Bhumibol visited Paris frequently. It was in Paris that he first met Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitiyakara, daughter of the Thai ambassador to France ( Nakkhatra Mangala ) and a great-granddaughter of King Chulalongkorn and thus a cousin of Bhumibol. She

1078-497: A high ceiling and three-metre-high glass doors on each long side that open on to the gardens. A stage is located at the far end, and the interior is decorated with antique carved woodwork from Southeast Asia. In 1993 Nang Kimhaw Nimmanhaeminda family of Chiang Mai presented to the Society the Kamthieng House, an outstanding example of old northern Thai architecture, named after her mother, Nang Kamthieng. The teakwood house

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1176-505: A hotel called the Oriental Hotel. This burnt down in 1865. Several years later, a partnership of Danish captains opened a replacement hotel. In the 1870s, the board of the Oriental Hotel decided the opening of the new River Wing in 1876 as the official establishment date of the Oriental Hotel. In 1881, 29-year-old Hans Niels Andersen , a Danish businessman, bought the premises. His various business ventures led to him becoming

1274-683: A judgment but I cannot say", he said. "Either way the ruling goes, it will be bad for the country, there will be mistakes". The tribunal later acquitted the Democrat Party, but dissolved the Thai Rak Thai Party and banned 111 of its executives from politics for five years. The junta-appointed Constitution Drafting Assembly later tried to use the King in a propaganda campaign to increase public support for its widely criticised draft constitution . The CDA placed billboards saying "Love

1372-447: A large number of deaths when the military was brought in to control protesters. The situation became increasingly critical as police and military forces clashed with protesters. Violence and riots spread to many areas of the capital with rumours of a rift among the armed forces. Amidst the fear of civil war, Bhumibol intervened. He summoned Suchinda and the leader of the pro-democracy movement, retired Major General Chamlong Srimuang , to

1470-507: A much-respected member of the Western community in Siam. Andersen identified a need for a respectable hotel with good accommodation, a bar, and a western menu to meet the needs of travelers and businessmen visiting Siam. Encouraged by Prince Prisdang Jumsai , Hans Niels Andersen formed a partnership with Peter Andersen and Frederick Kinch to build a luxury hotel. Designed by Cardu & Rossi,

1568-573: A natural hotelier and during her reign restored the hotel to its position as the premier hotel in Thailand. Thompson soon left the partnership over a plan to build a new wing, though he stayed on in residence at the hotel for some time. To compete with popular clubs and a new local bar called Chez Eve, Krull established the Bamboo Bar, which soon became one of the leading bars in Bangkok. In 1958

1666-535: A one-time fee, and honorary members elected by the council. At present the membership includes people of around sixty nationalities. The President and Council are elected by life and ordinary members attending the Annual General Meeting, and serve for terms of two years. The affairs of the Society are regulated by the Rules of the Society, originally drawn up in 1904 and amended from time to time. At

1764-529: A series of military dictatorships. However, during his interview given to the BBC in 1979, the king reiterated that the monarchy should remain impartial and be in peaceful co-existence with everybody. Bhumibol invited public criticism in a 2005 speech, but the lèse majesté laws have not been revoked by the Thai parliament yet. In the early years of his reign, during the government of military dictator Plaek Phibunsongkhram , Bhumibol had no real political power and

1862-670: A standard of service comparable to their property in Hong Kong. In 1974 the company's hotel interests expanded further through the acquisition of a 49% interest in The Oriental, Bangkok. Through the management of both The Mandarin in Hong Kong and The Oriental, in Bangkok, the Group was in an unusual position of having two "flagship" hotels. In 1985, the Company rationalized its corporate structure by combining these two properties under

1960-538: A teakwood house, an excellent example of central Thai architecture. The Chalerm Phrakiat building, opened in 1998, was named in honour of the 50th coronation anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej . Major donors to the fund-raising campaign included Princess Galyani Vadhana and the Jim Thompson Foundation . The building was opened on behalf of King Bhumibol Adulyadej by Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn on 30 September 1998. Designed by Habita Company,

2058-403: A team of local Italian architects, the Oriental was the first luxury hotel in Siam. The hotel opened on 19 May 1887 with 40 rooms and features which at the time had never been seen in Siam outside a royal palace: a second floor (during a time of single-storey bungalows), carpeted hallways, smoking and ladies' rooms, a billiards room and a bar capable of seating 50 patrons. To ensure the success of

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2156-424: A televised audience, and urged them to find a peaceful resolution. At the height of the crisis, the sight of both men appearing together on their knees (in accordance with royal protocol) made a strong impression on the nation. Bhumibol then signed Suchinda's amnesty decree that applied to both sides of the conflict, with the reason to protect security and unity of the country. Suchinda resigned soon afterwards. It

2254-510: A week before the scheduled verdict, Bhumibol gave a rare speech to the Supreme Administrative Court (the president of which is also a member of the constitutional tribunal). "You have the responsibility to prevent the country from collapsing", he warned them in the speech, which was shown on all national television channels simultaneously during the evening. "The nation needs political parties   ... In my mind, I have

2352-574: Is why Bhumibol was the only monarch to be born in the US . Bhumibol had an older sister, Princess Galyani Vadhana , and an older brother, Prince Ananda Mahidol . His US birth certificate read simply "Baby Songkla", as the parents had to consult his uncle, King Prajadhipok, then head of the House of Chakri, for an auspicious name. The king chose a name of Sanskrit origin, Bhumibol Adulyadej ( Devanagari : भूमिबल अतुल्यतेज, IAST : Bhūmibala Atulyateja ),

2450-426: The 1949 constitution , which returned to the monarchy many of the powers it had lost by the 1932 Revolution . In December 1946, the Siamese government allocated several hundred thousand dollars for the ceremonial cremation of the remains of the late King Ananda, a necessary preliminary to the coronation of Bhumibol who was required by religious custom to light the funeral pyre. Unsettled conditions in 1947 following

2548-523: The 1997 Asian financial crisis , which triggered political instability in Thailand during the 2000s. Bhumibol's reign was characterized by several periods of gradual democratization punctuated by frequent military coups, the last of which occurred in 2014 . Forbes estimated Bhumibol's fortune—including property and investments managed by the Crown Property Bureau , a body that is neither private nor government-owned (assets managed by

2646-787: The Chao Phraya River , the original structure was the first hotel built in Thailand when it opened as The Oriental in 1876. Today, the hotel is one of two flagship properties of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. When Siam opened to foreign trade after the signing of the Bowring Treaty , the sailors that crewed the ships though Bangkok required accommodation on shore. To meet this demand, Captain Dyers, an American, and his partner J.E. Barnes, opened

2744-478: The Bureau were owned by the crown as an institution, not by the monarch as an individual) —to be US$ 30  billion in 2010, and he headed the magazine's list of the "world's richest royals" from 2008 to 2013. In 2014, Bhumibol's wealth was again listed as US$ 30  billion. After a period of deteriorating health which left him hospitalized on several occasions, Bhumibol died in 2016 at Siriraj Hospital . He

2842-472: The Capital, and command that all the citizens shall remain calm whilst all the government officers shall serve the orders issued by Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat. This Proclamation shall come into force immediately. Done this 16th Day of September, Buddhist Era 2500 (1957). Sarit later admitted in a rare interview with foreign correspondent that the king had no involvement and did not acknowledge anything about

2940-569: The Election Commissioners. On 14 July, Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda addressed graduating cadets of the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy , telling them that the Thai military must serve the nation and the king—not the government. On 20 July, Bhumibol signed a royal decree endorsing new House elections for 15 October 2006 . In an unprecedented act, the King wrote a note on

3038-627: The Gymnase Classique Cantonal de Lausanne , and by 1945 had begun studying sciences at the University of Lausanne , when World War II ended and the family was able to return to Thailand. Bhumibol ascended the throne following the death by gunshot wound of his brother, King Ananda Mahidol , on 9 June 1946, under circumstances that remain unclear. While an initial government statement stated that Ananda had accidentally shot himself, an investigation committee ruled this

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3136-465: The King. Care about the King. Vote in the referendum" throughout northeast Thailand , where opposition to the junta was greatest. On 20 April 2009, Thaksin claimed in an interview with the Financial Times that Bhumibol had been briefed by Privy Councillors Prem Tinsulanonda and Surayud Chulanont about their plans to stage the 2006 coup. He claimed that General Panlop Pinmanee , a leader of

3234-684: The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and who had stayed on in Thailand. Krull took the position of manager in 1947, despite no prior experience in the hotel field. Born in Germany, she had been best known as a photographer during the 1920s before service in the Pacific as a war correspondent for Agence France Presse. The hotel's restoration and restocking offered Thompson an opportunity to put to use his architectural and artistic abilities. The hotel reopened for business on 12 June 1947. Krull turned out to be

3332-508: The Oriental. In 1972 the hotel acquired an adjacent property upon which it erected the 350-room River Wing. The Group began with the opening of its flagship property, The Mandarin , in Hong Kong in 1963, which soon built up a reputation for luxurious service. In 1974, Mandarin International Hotels Limited was formed as a hotel management company. The Group's intention was to expand into Asia and operate hotels with

3430-488: The Phi Tong Luang or Mlabri people . . The emblem of the Society was designed in 1926 by Prince Narisara Nuwattiwong , showing “the head of an elephant holding with his trunk a garland of flowers.” The emblem incorporates a motto, Thai : วิชชายังให้เกิดมิตรภาพ , “Knowledge Gives Rise to Friendship,” composed by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab and Prince Dhani Nivat . The Society explained: “This motto tries to convey

3528-664: The Society published The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya: A Synoptic Translation , translated by Richard D. Cushman and introduced by David K. Wyatt , including English translation of all the known versions of the chronicles at the time. The Journal of the Siam Society (JSS) publishes original articles of a scholarly nature, in English, on Thailand and neighbouring countries in a wide range of disciplines including archaeology, epigraphy, history, ethnology, religion, language, literature, art and architecture, and performing arts. The Journal has been published continuously since 1904. In 2012,

3626-411: The Society's foundation in 1904, Prince Vajiravudh , the future King Rama VI, became the Society's first patron. Subsequently, the reigning king has been the Society's patron. At present Queen Sirikit is Vice-Patron and Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is Vice-Patron and Honorary President. In 1990, the Society launched a project to cast a gold Footprint of Lord Buddha based on a wax model made at

3724-781: The Society's premises. The Society has a long-standing commitment to the preservation of natural and cultural heritage. In 1988–89, the Society undertook restoration of the traditional northeastern-style murals in Wat Sra Bua Kaew in Khon Kaen Province. Siamese Heritage Trust was established in 2011 to raise the visibility of cultural heritage management as a national issue of general public interest. The Trust focuses its work on four areas: knowledge, education, advocacy and networking. Programmes under these four areas include public conferences, lectures, study trips, seminars, publications and media opinion pieces. In 2019

3822-530: The Thai equivalent of "Bhumibol Adulyadej R[ex])". In 1957, a military coup overthrew the government of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram with allegations of lèse-majesté , corruption and manipulation of the election held earlier that year. This began a new and long-lasting relationship between the monarch and military, leading some to perceive that the king condones the Thammasat University massacre in defense of his throne, and support

3920-691: The Trust published a guide to laws on heritage in Thailand as e-books both in English as Heritage Lawyer: Laws for Cultural Heritage Protection and Thai as Thai : ทนายวัฒนธรรม: ใช้กฎหมายเพื่อคุ้มครองมรดกวัฒนธรรมชุมชน . The Siam Society library specializes in the fine arts, humanities, social sciences and natural sciences of Thailand and other countries in Southeast Asia. It is also noted for its outstanding collections of rare books and palm leaf manuscripts. The collection of rare books assembled by ML Manich Jumsai, including early European works on Siam and

4018-513: The United States, Bhumibol spent his early life in Switzerland, in the aftermath of the 1932 Siamese revolution , which toppled Thailand’s centuries-old absolute monarchy , ruled at the time by his uncle, King Prajadhipok (Rama VII). He ascended to the throne in June 1946, succeeding his brother, King Ananda Mahidol , (Rama VIII), who had died under mysterious circumstances. In

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4116-527: The anniversary, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan presented Bhumibol with the United Nations Development Programme 's first Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award on 26 May 2006. National holidays were observed on 9 June and 12–13 June 2006. On 9 June, the king and queen appeared on the balcony of Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall before hundreds of thousands of people. The official royal barge procession on 12 June

4214-427: The blame, but whatever happens, the King will only get praise." On Saturday, 23 September 2006, the junta warned it would "urgently retaliate against foreign reporters whose coverage has been deemed insulting to the monarchy." Prem did help secure the appointment of Surayud Chulanont , another member of the King's Privy Council, as Premier, and allegedly had a say in the appointment of Surayud's Cabinet. Critics claimed

4312-718: The building included space for the library, office, function rooms, and retail areas. On 20 November 2009, a fire destroyed the office and retail areas in the Chalerm Phrakiat building, and lightly damaged the library. The book collection, and the Society's holdings of valuable objects, were not damaged. Lectures are given in English on an almost-weekly basis, held on weekday evenings, by authors, visiting scholars, leading experts and enthusiasts. The subjects include new archaeological finds, Thai history, antique textile collections, and contemporary Thai artists and designers. Lectures in Thai are usually scheduled on Saturdays during

4410-500: The cabinet was full of "Prem's boys". The junta appointed a constitutional tribunal to rule on alleged polling fraud involving the Thai Rak Thai and Democrat political parties. Guilty rulings would have dissolved both parties, Thailand's largest and oldest, respectively, and banned the parties' leadership from politics for five years. The weeks leading up to the verdicts saw rising political tensions. On 24 May 2007, about

4508-555: The complete back-catalog of over two thousand articles and reviews was made available on the internet. Since 2019, the Journal has been listed on the Scopus database of academic journals. The Natural History Bulletin of The Siam Society (NHBSS) is a biannual publication of scholarly articles in English on the flora and fauna of Thailand and neighbouring countries. Members include ordinary members paying an annual fee, life members paying

4606-695: The country. The ensuing chaos was used as a pretext for a military coup, which Bhumibol backed and described as a manifestation of the people's will. The event that catalyzed the coup was the Thammasat University massacre , carried out in the name of defending Bhumibol's throne. The victorious military junta submitted three names to the king as possible premiers: Deputy President of the king's Privy Council Prakob Hutasingh  [ th ] , right-wing Bangkok Governor Thamnoon Thien-ngern  [ th ] , and staunchly anti-communist Supreme Court judge Thanin Kraivichien . Bhumibol chose Thanin as

4704-434: The coup was the subject of much speculation among Thai analysts and the international media, although publication of such speculation was banned in Thailand. The king had an audience with Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda at the same time that special forces troops were mobilised. Anti-coup protesters claimed that Prem was the mastermind of the coup, although the military claimed otherwise and banned any discussion of

4802-543: The coup until it had been done successfully. During Sarit's dictatorship, the monarchy was revitalised. Bhumibol attended public ceremonies, toured the provinces and patronised development projects, he also visited the United States in June 1960, addressing Congress, and many countries in Europe, including a visit to Rome, hosted by PM Giovanni Gronchi , in September 1960. Under Sarit, the practice of crawling in front of royalty during audiences, banned by King Chulalongkorn ,

4900-590: The course of his rule, Bhumibol presided over Thailand's transformation into a major U.S. ally and a regional economic power. Between 1985 and 1994, Thailand was the world's fastest growing economy, according to the World Bank , and in the 1990s was predicted by many international journalists to be the next " Asian Tiger ". During this period, the country also saw the emergence of an urban middle class as well as mass political participation in its electoral politics. However, this rapid economic growth came to an end with

4998-400: The day. The Society conducts study trips both within Thailand and overseas. Trips within Thailand are usually 1–3 days in length, and highlight a historical site, cultural performance, or heritage preservation project. The guides are experts from the Society's membership and network. Musical concerts and cultural performances are regularly staged in the auditorium, and occasionally outside in

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5096-506: The deaths of Emperor Hirohito of Japan and Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein . In 1992, Bhumibol played a key role in Thailand's transition to a democratic system. The 1991 Thai coup d'état on 23 February returned Thailand to military dictatorship . After a general election in 1992 , the majority parties invited General Suchinda Kraprayoon , a leader of the coup group, to be prime minister. This caused much dissent, which escalated into demonstrations called Black May that led to

5194-565: The dictator Sarit was Bhumibol's tool. Political scientist Thak Chaloemtiarana writes that Sarit used Bhumibol in order to build his own credibility. Following Sarit's death General Thanom Kittikachorn rose to power to lead Thailand's military dictatorship, ultimately challenged by the 1973 Thai popular uprising . Bhumibol initially asked student protestors to disband. When police attacked and killed dozens of students, sparking protest riots, Bhumibol announced general Thanom's resignation and departure from Thailand. According to William Stevenson,

5292-412: The dissemination of knowledge in the arts and sciences…. It reflects the Society's system, process and outcome of work, its obstacles and challenges, the personalities and organizations contributing to its success and the scope of its work in a century of great international changes and development. It testifies to the continuous transactions and cooperation of an international and intellectual nature, among

5390-453: The early Bangkok trade, such as Otago (once captained by Joseph Conrad), HMS  Melita , Vesatri and Natuna . Source: 13°43′25″N 100°30′52″E  /  13.72361°N 100.51444°E  / 13.72361; 100.51444 Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej (5 December 1927 – 13 October 2016), on whom the title of Bhumibol the Great

5488-486: The end of the 100-day mourning period. Despite his interest in science and technology, he changed his major and enrolled in law and political science to prepare for his duties as head of state. His uncle, Rangsit, Prince of Chainat , was appointed Prince Regent . In Bhumibol's name, Prince Rangsit acknowledged a military coup that overthrew the government of Thamrongnawasawat in November 1947. The regent also signed

5586-596: The entourage of Crown Prince Nicholas of Russia (later Tsar Nicholas II ) in April 1891. Marie Maire took over ownership of the hotel in 1910 and immediately set to work renovating it. She sold the property in 1932, but during World War Two, it was leased by the Japanese Army and used as an officer's club (under management by the Imperial Hotel of Tokyo). Once World War Two ended, Allied prisoners who thought

5684-470: The family remained in Switzerland and the affairs of the head of state were conducted by a regency council. They returned to Thailand for only two months in 1938. In 1942, Bhumibol became a jazz enthusiast, and started to play the saxophone, a passion that he kept throughout his life. He received the baccalauréat des lettres (high-school diploma with a major in French literature , Latin , and Greek) from

5782-399: The field marshal to resign to avoid a coup. Phibunsongkhram refused. That evening, Sarit Thanarat seized power. Two hours later Bhumibol imposed martial law throughout the kingdom. Bhumibol issued a proclamation appointing Sarit as "military defender of the capital" without anyone countersigning the proclamation. It included the following: Whereas it appears that the public administration by

5880-611: The first floor of the Falck and Beidek Building in Chartered Bank Lane near the Oriental Hotel . In 1931, Ahamad Ebrahim Nana, a businessman of Indian origin born in Thonburi, gifted the Society 3 rai (0.48 hectare) of land on the outskirts of Bangkok. A building, consisting largely of an auditorium and library, was designed by Edward Healy, a British architect, and officially opened on 28 February 1933. The auditorium has

5978-448: The floor to the lower edge of the peaked roof, the end of which are adorned with v-shaped galae. A toen (open veranda) was added to the structure, as well as two rice granaries that were acquired from Chiang Mai . The Kamthieng House houses a museum of the ethnology and arts of Lanna. In 1988, on the occasion of the Society's 84th anniversary, and also in commemoration of her late husband Acharn Saeng Aroon, Khun Lada Ratkasikorn gifted

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6076-483: The government under the premiership of Field Marshal P. Phibunsongkhram is untrustworthy, and that the government could not maintain the public order; and whereas the military, led by Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat, has successfully taken over the public administration and now acts as the Military Defender of the Capital; now, therefore, I do hereby appoint Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat as the Military Defender of

6174-710: The grounds. Besides classical music, both Thai and western, there have been performances of Taiko drumming from Japan, Kathak dance from India and Flamenco dance from Spain. In the 1990s, the Society conducted a project on “National Living Treasures,” including performances of music, dance, and puppetry. The Society has hosted several symposia and international conferences, including a debate on Sukhothai Inscription One in March 1989, an international conference on Culture and Environment in Thailand in August 1997, an international conference in 1997 on King Chulalongkorn ’s visit to Europe

6272-785: The historically significant buildings within its compound. In 2012 the Siam Society was awarded “Best Cultural Organisation” status at provincial, regional and national levels by the Ministry of Culture of the Royal Thai Government . In 2013 the Council Minutes books from 1904 to 2004 were inscribed in UNESCO's Memory of the World International Register . The citation read in part: ”100 years of recording international cooperation in research and

6370-414: The hotel still belonged to Japan occupied and vandalized it. At the end of the war, a six-person partnership each contributed US$ 250 to buy the hotel, badly run down from its wartime service. The partnership consisted of Germaine Krull (1897–1985), Prince Bhanu, General Chai Prateepasen, Pote Sarasin (prominent businessman and lawyer) and John Webster and Jim Thompson , two Americans who had served in

6468-552: The idea that the search for knowledge is the bond which unites the Siamese and foreign members of the Society in a friendly spirit of collaboration.” The emblem first appeared in the Journal of the Siam Society in 1927. A three-dimensional model of the emblem was place above the stage of the newly built auditorium in 1932. In its early years, the Siam Society rented rooms for meetings, and kept its library at various locations. In 1922, it moved into its first semi-permanent address, on

6566-399: The investigation and encouragement of Art, Science and Literature in relation to Siam and neighbouring countries.” A total of 103 signed up as members before the first Annual General Meeting on 7 April 1904. In 1925, the Natural History Society of Siam, founded in 1913, was merged into the Siam Society. In 1939, the Society changed its name to the Thailand Research Society in conformity with

6664-482: The king had asked the three tyrants to avoid bloodshed; although the three tyrants had agreed, they later changed their minds. Eventually, it led to the incidents of October 1973. Bhumibol distanced himself from the Thai military after Thanom's fall. Political events in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos brought powerful guerrilla and communist movements into power or prominence, which threatened the Thai monarchy and political establishment. Fearing unrest, Bhumibol began to court

6762-430: The land of gilded elephants and white umbrellas". The ceremony was performed by Bhumibol's ageing grandmother, Savang Vadhana . Bhumibol and Sirikit had four children: After presiding over the long-delayed, ceremonial cremation of his brother Ananda Mahidol , Bhumibol was crowned King of Thailand on 5 May 1950 in the Phaisan Thaksin Throne Hall in the Grand Palace in Bangkok. It was the first coronation ceremony of

6860-418: The many generations of people elected to carry out the work of the Siam Society over the long and eventful century.” In 2014 the Siam Society library was recognized as an “Outstanding Specialist Library” by the Thai Library Association. Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok is a five-star hotel in Bangkok owned in part and managed by Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group . Located on

6958-534: The mid-fifties by Giorgio Berlingieri, an Italian born in Genoa, and Dr Chaijudh Karnasuta, a Thai. Berlingieri felt that the Oriental had begun to rest on its laurels and had dropped behind its competitors. He wanted to develop the Oriental into one of the best hotels in the world. Too involved with his various businesses to devote time to the project, Berlingieri in November 1967 appointed 30-year-old Kurt Wachtveitl (1937– ), at that time manager of Nipa Lodge (a hotel that Italthai owned in Pattaya), as general manager of

7056-581: The military in 1975, visiting camps throughout the country, and publicly warning of internal and external threats. At this time, Bhumibol increasingly cultivated far-right militias and paramilitary forces, including the Red Gaurs and the Village Scouts, warning that students and political dissidents planned to bring communists to power in Thailand. Finally, Bhumibol provoked outrage among students and legal groups by inviting general Thanom back into

7154-521: The most suitable premier, leading student protesters to flee to join the communists in the jungle. Thanin was overthrown in a military coup in October 1977 led by General Kriangsak Chamanan . Kriangsak was succeeded in 1980 by the popular Army Commander-in-Chief, General Prem Tinsulanonda , who later became the Privy Council President. Bhumibol's refusal to endorse military coups in April 1981 and September 1985 ultimately led to

7252-501: The nationalist policies of the government of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram and the change of the country's name from Siam to Thailand. The change was reversed in 1945. In 1954, the Society founded a Research Center, funded by donations, including from King Bhumibol Adulyadej , and the Ford Foundation . The Center undertook pioneering research on archaeology, zoology, and the anthropology of minority communities including

7350-488: The only remaining structure of the original 19th-century hotel, houses suites named after Joseph Conrad , Somerset Maugham , Noël Coward and James Michener . The River Wing contains deluxe two-bedroom suites named after former guests or personages associated with the hotel, including Barbara Cartland , Gore Vidal , Graham Greene , Wilbur Smith , John le Carré , Jim Thompson , Norman Mailer , Thai author Kukrit Pramoj . Other suites are named after ships associated with

7448-401: The papers of Prince Prisdang , are kept in the library. The Siam Society has been a pioneer in the publication of scholarly and scientific books, mainly in English, on a wide range of subjects. The Orchids of Thailand: A Preliminary List , by Gunnar Seidenfaen and Tem Smitananad, published in six volumes between 1959 and 1965, is recognized as the authoritative work on the subject. In 2000

7546-469: The public. Bhumibol, in a speech on 26 April 2006, responded, "Asking for a Royally-appointed prime minister is undemocratic. It is, pardon me, a mess. It is irrational". After publicly claiming victory in the boycotted April parliamentary elections , Thaksin Shinawatra had a private audience with the king. A few hours later, Thaksin appeared on national television to announce that he would be taking

7644-664: The restaurant and a satisfactory level of service, the owners lured the chef and butler from the French Consulate away to work at the hotel. The first major event that the hotel hosted was a grand banquet on 24 May 1888 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. After personally inspecting the hotel’s facilities in December 1890, King Chulalongkorn decided the hotel was up to the standard necessary to host visiting royalty. The hotel's first royal guests were

7742-526: The royal decree calling for a clean and fair election. That very day, Bhumibol underwent spinal surgery. The 60th anniversary ( diamond jubilee ) celebrations of the king's accession to the throne were a series of events marking Bhumibol's reign in June 2006. Events included a royal barge procession on the Chao Phraya River, fireworks displays, art exhibitions, and the pardoning of 25,000 prisoners, concerts, and dance performances. Tied in with

7840-518: The ten-story Garden Wing was built. It featured the city’s first elevator and was home to the Le Normandie Restaurant. In 1967, fearful that Thailand would fall to the communists, Krull sold her share to Italthai which at the time was well on its way to becoming one of the country’s most significant mercantile groups eventually totaling some 60 companies involved in almost all aspects of the Thai economy. Italthai had been founded in

7938-544: The time of King Chulalongkorn in honour of the 60th birthday of Queen Sirikit . Funds were raised from over 3,000 donors. The Footprint, using 35 kilograms of gold and measuring 170 x 70 centimeters, was cast in Thonburi , and consecrated by King Bhumibol Adulyadej in a ceremony at Wat Phra Kaew on 22 June 1994. In 2002 the Siam Society was cited by the Association of Siamese Architects for excellence in preserving

8036-494: The topic. In a BBC interview, Thitinan Pongsudhirak of Chulalongkorn University noted, "This coup was nothing short of Thaksin versus the King   ... He [the king] is widely seen as having implicitly endorsed the coup." In the same interview, social critic Sulak Sivaraksa claimed, "Without his [the king's] involvement, the coup would have been impossible." Sulak added that the king is "very skillful. He never becomes obviously involved. If this coup goes wrong, Sonthi will get

8134-405: The victory of forces loyal to the government, despite some violence – including, in 1981, the seizure of Bangkok by rebel forces. The coups led many to believe that Bhumibol had misjudged Thai society and that his credibility as an impartial mediator between various political and military factions had been compromised. In 1989, Bhumibol became the world's longest-reigning living monarch following

8232-558: Was attended by the king and queen and royal visitors from 26 other countries. On 13 June, a state banquet for the royal visitors was held in the newly constructed Rama IX Throne Hall at the Grand Palace, the first official function of the hall. The Chiang Mai Royal Floral Expo was also held to honour the anniversary. On the evening of 19 September, the Thai military overthrew the Thaksin government and seized control of Bangkok in

8330-625: Was born at Cambridge Hospital (now Mount Auburn Hospital ) in Cambridge, Massachusetts , United States, on 5 December 1927, during the reign of his paternal uncle, King Rama VII (Prajadhipok). He was the youngest son of Prince Mahidol Adulyadej , the Prince of Songkla, and his commoner wife Mom Sangwan (later Princess Srinagarindra , the Princess Mother). His father was enrolled in the public health program at Harvard University , which

8428-652: Was declared the national day , replacing the previous national day, the anniversary of the Siamese revolution of 1932 (24 June). Upon Sarit's death on 8 December 1963, an unprecedented 21 days of mourning were declared in the palace. A royal five-tier umbrella shaded his body while it lay in state. Long-time royal adviser Phraya Srivisaravacha later noted that no Prime Minister ever had such an intimate relationship with Bhumibol as Sarit. Bhumibol biographer Paul Handley, in The King Never Smiles , writes that

8526-538: Was ever produced to verify the existence of such a plot, and Thaksin and his Thai Rak Thai party vehemently denied the accusations and sued the accusers. In a rare, televised speech to senior judges, Bhumibol requested the judiciary to take action to resolve the political crisis. On 8 May 2006, the Constitutional Court invalidated the results of the April elections and ordered new elections scheduled for 15 October 2006 . The Criminal Court later jailed

8624-414: Was highly revered by the people in Thailand —some saw him as close to divine . Notable political activists and Thai citizens who criticized the king or the institution of monarchy were often forced into exile or suffered frequent imprisonments. His cremation was held in 2017 at the royal crematorium at Sanam Luang . His son, Vajiralongkorn , succeeded him as King Rama X of Thailand. Bhumibol

8722-540: Was hospitalised in Lausanne, Sirikit visited him frequently. She met his mother, who asked her to continue her studies nearby so that Bhumibol could get to know her better. Bhumibol selected for her a boarding school in Lausanne, Riante Rive. A quiet engagement in Lausanne followed on 19 July 1949, and they were married on 28 April 1950, just a week before his coronation. Their wedding was described by The New York Times as "the shortest, simplest royal wedding ever held in

8820-425: Was little more than a ceremonial figure under the military-dominated government. In August 1957, six months after parliamentary elections, General Sarit Thanarat accused the government of Field Marshal Phibunsongkhram of lèse-majesté due to its conduct of the 2,500th anniversary celebration of Buddhism . On 16 September 1957, Phibunsongkhram went to Bhumibol to seek support for his government. Bhumibol advised

8918-405: Was made queen ( Somdej Phra Boromarajini ). The date of his coronation is celebrated each 5 May in Thailand as Coronation Day , a public holiday. The royal couple spent their honeymoon at Hua Hin before they returned to Switzerland, where the king completed his university studies. They returned to Thailand in 1951. Following the death of his grandmother Queen Savang Vadhana , Bhumibol entered

9016-624: Was one of the few occasions in which Bhumibol directly and publicly intervened in a political conflict. A general election was held shortly afterward, leading to a civilian government. Weeks before the April 2006 legislative election , the Democrat Party -led opposition and the People's Alliance for Democracy petitioned Bhumibol to appoint a replacement prime minister and cabinet. Demands for royal intervention were met with much criticism from

9114-518: Was originally built in Chiang Mai , in the mid-19th century, on the east bank of the Ping River by Mae Saed, a great-granddaughter of a prince of Mueang Chae. The structure consists of two prefabricated rectangular units with a common floor, a covered veranda and walkway leading to the kitchen, and an open platform – all elevated on 36 octagonal teak pillars. The walls lean slightly outward from

9212-481: Was posthumously conferred, was the ninth king of the Chakri dynasty of Thailand , titled Rama IX , from 1946 until his death in 2016. His reign of 70 years and 126 days is the longest of any Thai monarch, the longest on record of any independent Asian sovereign, and the third-longest verified reign of any monarch of a sovereign state in history (after Louis XIV and Elizabeth II ). Born in

9310-533: Was revived in certain situations and the royal-sponsored Thammayut Nikaya order was revitalised. For the first time since the absolute monarchy was overthrown, a king was conveyed up the Chao Phraya River in a Royal Barge Procession to offer robes at temples. Other disused ceremonies from the classical period of the Chakri Dynasty , such as the royally patronised ploughing ceremony (Thai: พิธีพืชมงคล), were also revived. Bhumibol's birthday (5 December)

9408-527: Was sometimes referred to as King Rama IX in English, Thais referred to him as Nai Luang or Phra Chao Yu Hua , which translated to "the King" and "Lord Upon our Heads", respectively. He was also called Chao Chiwit ("Lord of Life"). Formally, he was referred to as Phrabat Somdet Phra Chao Yu Hua or, in legal documents, Phrabat Somdet Phra Paraminthara Maha Bhumibol Adulyadej , and in English as "His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej". He signed his name as ภูมิพลอดุลยเดช ป.ร. (Bhumibol Adulyadej Por Ror,

9506-506: Was then 15 years old and training to be a concert pianist. On 4 October 1948, while Bhumibol was driving a Fiat Topolino on the Geneva - Lausanne road, he collided with the rear of a braking truck 10 km outside Lausanne. He injured his back, suffered paralysis in half of his face and incurred cuts on his face that cost him the sight of his right eye . Both the royal cremation and coronation had to be postponed once more. While he

9604-488: Was virtually impossible. Three palace aides ( Chit Singhaseni , But Patthamasarin , and Chaliao Pathumrot ) were eventually convicted of regicide , and were executed by firing squad on 17 February 1955, after their appeals for clemency were rejected by Bhumibol. A third possibility, that Bhumibol accidentally shot his brother while the brothers played with their pistols, was never officially considered. Bhumibol succeeded his brother, but returned to Switzerland before

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