英语名人堂：普密蓬·阿杜德

泰王拉玛九世陛下（泰文：รัชกาลที่ ๙；1927年12月5日－），讳名：普密蓬·阿杜德（泰文：พระบาทสมเด็จพระปรมินทรมหาภูมิพลอดุลยเดชมหาราช，皇家转写：Bhumibol Adulyadej /pʰuːmípʰon ʔàdunjádèːt/），中文名郑固，现任泰国国王，1946年登基，1950年5月5日加冕。此任泰国国王深得泰国各族国民的爱戴。他是却克里（曼谷王朝）的第9位国王，也是目前全世界在任时间最长的国家元首。

2015年2月15日，根据《福布斯》排名，泰国国王普密蓬·阿杜德是世界上最富有的君王。其个人财产在225.86亿欧元左右。

 

King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand is the world’s longest-serving head of state. He is also the longest-serving monarch¹ in Thai history. He was born in the United States in 1927 and was educated in Switzerland. He is an excellent musician, artist, and sailor. He is greatly loved by his people. Many Thais see him as semi-divine.

 

Bhumibol came to Thailand for the first time in 1928. He completed his elementary education in Bangkok and in 1933 moved to Switzerland. He graduated from the University of Lausanne. His elder brother was crowned King of Thailand in 1935 and Bhumipol became heir to the throne. He became King Rama IX following the death of his brother in 1946.

 

King Bhumipol had very little power in the early years and was largely a symbol. It was many decades into his reign² before he decided³ to intervene in Thai politics. In 1992, there was a coup⁴ attempt in Bangkok. Many protesting university students were killed in the streets. Bhumipol appeared with the coup leader on Thai television. This led to elections, which brought democracy to Thailand.

 

Bhumipol repeated his rare television appearance in April 2006 during another political crisis. The government asked him to choose a prime minister. He said: "Asking for a royally-appointed prime minister is undemocratic. It is, pardon me, a mess. It is irrational⁵." Although his health is a concern today, he continues to help the poor in Thailand, especially those in rural areas.

1 monarch   

n.帝王，君主，最高统治者

参考例句：

• The monarch's role is purely ceremonial.君主纯粹是个礼仪职位。
• I think myself happier now than the greatest monarch upon earth.我觉得这个时候比世界上什么帝王都快乐。

2 reign   

n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势

参考例句：

• The reign of Queen Elizabeth lapped over into the seventeenth century.伊丽莎白王朝延至17世纪。
• The reign of Zhu Yuanzhang lasted about 31 years.朱元璋统治了大约三十一年。

3 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

4 coup   

n.政变；突然而成功的行动

参考例句：

• The monarch was ousted by a military coup.那君主被军事政变者废黜了。
• That government was overthrown in a military coup three years ago.那个政府在3年前的军事政变中被推翻。

5 irrational   

adj.无理性的，失去理性的

参考例句：

• After taking the drug she became completely irrational.她在吸毒后变得完全失去了理性。
• There are also signs of irrational exuberance among some investors.在某些投资者中是存在非理性繁荣的征象的。