Bhumibol Adulyadej (Royal Institute: Phumiphon Adunyadet pronounced see full title below) born 5 December 1927, is the current King of Thailand. Publicly acclaimed "the Great Maharaja, he is also known as Rama IX. Having reigned since 9 June 1946, he is the world's longest-servingcurrent head of stateand  the longest-reigningmonarch in Thai history. He is seen as so important by the Thai people that his ill-health has affected the markets. Although King Bhumibol is a constitutional monarch, i...