The government has been preparing to honour King Rama IX as “Somdet Phra Bhajdhara Maharaja”. King Rama IX will be the seventh king with “The Great” designation once the process is complete. In Thai history, other kings granted the designation included King Rama I, who founded the current Chakri Dynasty, King Rama V, who abolished slavery in Thailand and significantly modernised the country, and King Naresuan and King Taksin, each of whom restored Thailand’s independence at different periods. King Rama IX was the longest-reigning Thai monarch to date. As a result, King Rama IX won the near-universal love and respect from his people.

Source: The Nation Bangkok October 31, 2017 18:00 UTC