His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great

His Majesty’s Benevolence toward the University

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the ninth monarch of the Chakri Dynasty, was born on December 5, 1927, and ascended the throne on June 9, 1946. He was married to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Consort, on April 28, 1950. During the coronation ceremony, His Majesty delivered the First Royal Command: “We shall reign with righteousness for the benefit and happiness of the Siamese people.”

His Majesty reigned as a constitutional monarch, performing his duties in accordance with the Constitution and dedicating his life to the well-being of the people without regard for personal fatigue. In particular, His Majesty made profound contributions to education. Thailand is the only country in the world where university graduates are granted their degrees by the King himself. The day of the Royal Degree Conferral is thus a most memorable occasion for graduates, students, and their parents, who are deeply moved by His Majesty’s boundless benevolence. It may be said that receiving a degree from the King is the ultimate goal of every graduate and parent, as it offers the rare opportunity for a loyal subject to pay homage and behold His Majesty’s gracious presence closely.

In addition to graciously presiding over the Royal Degree Conferral ceremonies for graduates, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi has also been especially honored by His Majesty’s royal benevolence as follows.

On May 28, 1970, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej graciously granted royal permission for the Institute to bear the name “Phra Chom Klao,” with its English name being “King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Thonburi.”

On December 22, 1971, the Institute was graciously granted royal permission to use the emblem of King Rama IV, which His Majesty had kindly commanded to be redesigned as the official emblem of the Institute, effective from December 24, 1971.

On December 7, 1979, His Majesty graciously commanded Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Walailak to represent Him in presiding over the inauguration ceremony of the Faculty of Industrial Education building and the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Institute.

On December 8, 1982, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the opening ceremony of the 4th Technology Exhibition and inaugurated the Faculty of Energy and Materials Building, the Department of Chemistry Building, and the Library Building.

On October 11, 1984, His Majesty the King graciously granted royal permission for the construction of the King Mongkut Monument at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Thonburi.

On November 4, 1985, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the foundation-laying ceremony for the pedestal of the King Mongkut Monument and participated in the casting of the bronze statue of His Majesty King Mongkut.

On December 9, 1985, His Majesty graciously commanded Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Walailak to represent Him in inaugurating the Royal Monument, presiding over the 5th Technology Exhibition, and opening the Royal Factory for Ready-to-Eat Foods under the Royal Project and other royal initiatives managed by King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Thonburi.

On October 24, 1991, His Majesty the King visited and inspected the 6th Technology Exhibition Project.

From October 15 to 18, 2004, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the opening ceremony of the Exhibition in Honor of His Majesty King Mongkut on the occasion of the 200th Anniversary of His Birth at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC).

On June 30, 2005, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously presided over the opening of the Information Resource Center, inspected the KMITL exhibition on community learning and living dimensions, and laid the foundation stone for the Engineering Practice Building at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Thonburi, Bangmod Subdistrict, Thung Khru District, Bangkok.

In honor of His Majesty’s enduring benevolence toward the University, the University has produced a commemorative CD to disseminate the biography and royal duties of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.