King of Thailand celebrates 85th birthday Pictures King of Thailand celebrates 85th birthday Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej makes a rare public appearance on the occasion of his his 85th birthday, as tens of thousands come to pay respect and get a rare chance to see him in person, on Dec. 5, 2012, in Bangkok.?King Bhumibol took the throne in 1946, making him Thailand's longest reigning monarch and is currently the world's longest serving head of state. Yellow represents Monday, the birthday of the King. Credit: Athit Perawongmetha/Getty Images