His Majesty is the latest in a long line of impressive Monarchs that stretches back over seven centuries. On a stone, erected in the heart of Sukhothai, the first Thai Kingdom, King Ramkhamhaeng carved the words: "In the fields there is rice, in the water there is fish. The faces of the people shine brightly" Hundreds of years later, the meaning of this phrase is also reflected through King Bhumibol Adulyadej's dedication to his people. It is this selfless dedication rather than any strict protocol or tradition that has earned him the deep love and reverence of the Thai nation.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej's dedication, open style of Kingship and cosmopolitan outlook can be traced back to both his Great-Grandfather His Majesty King Mongkut, and his Grandfather, His Majesty King Chulalongkorn.

His Majesty King Mongkut (Rama IV, 1851-1868).

Ordained as a Buddhist monk at the age of 20, King Mongkut spent 27 years as an important ecclesiastical leader. Under his guidance, Thai Buddhism was cleansed of its superstitious elements. Through his reforming zeal, King Mongkut brought religion firmly into the mid-19th century and made it, once again, a vital force in Thai daily life.

King Mongkut, who taught himself English, was highly intelligent-a fact that foreign visitors to the Kingdom noted in their journals. He gained sufficient facility to converse with missionaries who found him witty and intellectually curious about everything. His experience as a monk had brought him into first-hand contact not only with foreigners but also ordinary citizens and gave him insight into their daily lives and perceptions.

King Mongkut also pursued an open door policy. Among his innovative ventures was to offer President James Buchanan (1857-1861) Thai elephants to handle heavy work.

His Majesty King Chulalongkorn (Rama V, 1868-1910)

King Chulalongkorn came to the Throne in 1868 and reigned during some of the region's most tumultuous history, leaving the stage in 1910 as one of the Kingdom's longest-reigning Monarchs. King Chulalongkorn's influence is evident in his cosmopolitan style of Kingship.

This forward-looking Monarch began the practice of educating his many sons in a dozen European capitals. His aim was to enhance Thailand's presence abroad, to gain new knowledge, and to absorb tenets of administration which could be usefully employed in Thailand . His sons later supervised foreign advisors engaged by the Crown to re-shape Thai government departments along international standards. In the process, he set another precedent-later emulated by Her Royal Highness the Princess Mother in providing funds to train doctors abroad-to finance the foreign education of worthy candidates among the nobility.

By these means he modernised and streamlined Thailand's bureaucracy to oversee administration more efficiently. He also brought all parts of the Kingdom under the central government and initiated far-reaching development projects. One such example is the inauguration of the Rangsit Canal project northwest of Bangkok , which crisscrossed more than 100 square km. of rice land with a grid of canals for irrigation and transportation contributing to Thailand's reputation as a rich rice bowl. This interest in irrigation and development is also shared by his Grandson, King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

It was during King Chulalongkorn's Reign that Bangkok's city walls were dismantled, a symbol of a broader access to the world. Reaching out, he became Thailand's first King to travel extensively on State Visits. At a time when the colonising zeal was taking over neighboring nations, he demonstrated to foreign governments that Thailand was not in need of civilising but was already a full-fledged member of the world community.