royal days

1927: Born on December 5 in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

1946: Ascended to throne on June 9.

1950: Crowned king on May 5, a week after marrying Queen Sirikit.

1960s: Travelled rural Thailand extensively; embarked on a series of high-profile state visits across Asia, Europe and the Americas.

1973: Sheltered protesting students from military gunfire in his Bangkok palace, driving ruling generals into exile.

1992: Televised intervention during May protests ended bloodshed on Bangkok streets and forced resignation of Thailand's last military ruler.