King Bhumibol Adulyadej's life - Monarch of last resort

Dec. 5, 1927

Born in U.S. at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts

1932

Bloodless revolution ends absolute monarchy in Siam, ushering in constitutional monarchy

1946

Brother King Ananda Mahidol found dead in palace bedroom; Prince Bhumibol accedes, but returns to Switzerland to study law, political science; Prince Rangsit of Jainad, last surviving son of King Chulalongkorn, named regent

1950

Marries M.R. Sirikit Kitiyakara

1950

Following coronation, returns to Switzerland for further studies

1951

Royal family returns to Bangkok

1957

Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat seizes power, dies in 1963; stable premiership contrasts with earlier short-lived governments; young king gains prestige, political maturity

1960

King makes state visits to Indonesia, Burma, U.S., U.K., West Germany, Portugal, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Vatican, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain

1964

Initiates first comprehensive village development project in Hupkapong, Phetchaburi province; serves as model for future rural development

1967

State visit to Iran, official trips to U.S., Canada, are his last foreign trips

1972

Invests Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, his only son as successor

1973

Students rise against trio of military strongmen; Bhumibol steps in to prevent more bloodshed; trio exiled; appoints first predominantly civilian government in 16 years

1976

Experiment in democracy ends with brutal rightist backlash, leaving 46 dead by official count

1981

During failed coup



attempt, sides with Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda

1988

Becomes longest-reigning monarch in Thai history, at 42 years, 23 days; longest previous reign is King Chulalongkorn's (1868-1910)

1991

Coup restores military dictatorship; businessman and ex-diplomat Anand Panyarachun appointed prime minister

1992

Ends bloody clashes between troops, pro-democracy demonstrators; two key protagonists kneel before him; elected government of Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai follows short second Anand administration

1997

Thailand floats currency, marking beginning of Asian financial crisis, dramatic economic downturn for country

2001

Telecommunications tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra wins landslide election victory; Thaksin's eligibility for office narrowly confirmed by court after being cleared of concealing assets

2004

Advocates "gentle approach" to solving southern insurgency after government security forces employ aggressive tactics, killing scores of militants; queen continues to spend time in restive region, working on development projects

2004

Massive tsunami hits Thailand's southwestern coastline, killing nearly 5,400 Thais, Burmese migrant workers, foreign tourists; among victims is Thai-American grandson, Bhumi Jensen

2006

Following general election won by Thaksin but boycotted by opposition parties, calls situation "a mess" and urges country's top courts to resolve political crisis

2006

Thaksin overthrown by military

2006

Junta names Gen. Surayud Chulanont, a privy councilor and former army chief, as interim prime minister

2008

Civilian parliament convenes following elections in December won by People's Power Party; veteran politician Samak Sundaravej becomes prime minister;Thaksin returns from exile within weeks; Samak and his successor removed by courts

2009

Hospitalized again

2014

Pro-Thaksin government overthrown by military coup

Oct. 13, 2016

Dies at Bangkok's Siriraj hospital