Today’s note is more about a man than the county. I and going to lay out a number of little known clues/factoids about the man, his country, and his people. See how long it takes you to see who the man is. You will be surprised to learn all the trivia facts. Without my notes or the internet even I would not be so quick with an answer either. So, without scrolling down, see if you can figure out who this man is (Name/Title/or Country)… I admit I would not know him by his birth name.

The Man:

• This man has been around since 1927 (84 yrs old)
• He is a natural born citizen of the U.S.A. (Cambridge, Massachusetts) (Phyllis' neighbor!)
• His father was educated at Harvard
• He went to High School and College in Switzerland (Lausanne)
• Major in French literature, Latin, and Greek
• Later switched to study to law and political science
• From an auto accident, he hurt his back and incurred cuts on his face that cost him the sight of his right eye.
• He is an accomplished jazz musician and composer
• Plays the alto saxophone and used to play jazz music (Not Bill Clinton)
• Has played with such jazz legends as Benny Goodman, Jack Teagarden, Lionel Hampton, Maynard Ferguson, and Preservation Hall Jazz Band
• The University of North Texas College of Music awarded him an Honorary Doctorate in Music (He's Not a Texas Redneck)
• He is accomplished sailor and sailboat designer. He won a gold medal for sailing once (Not a Kennedy)
• He holds a patent for a waste water aerator
• According to Forbes he has an estimated wealth of $35 billion (Not Young Bill Gates)
• His people love him as head of their country (Sure as HELL Not from Washington!)
• He is married and one son, two daughters
• Majority shareholder of a Cement Company (Nothing to do with Jimmy Hoffa)

His titles:

• There are many titles and variations of his name. Most here will not recognize his name but rather his title/position. Listing those would give away his identity.

The Country:

• You have heard of it, and many here have visited it
• It has gone by other names
• Its boundaries have changed
• It has been in or part of war/turmoil many times
• It is a beautiful place
• Uses internet blocking for national security and prevent deamination of him from the outside world to be viewed inside his country
• The currency is weak
• A number of commemorative issues of money have come out in the past years commemorating him, his length of time serving, and his wife

He is the longest ruling monarch. King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, formerly Siam. Because the death of his older brother from an accidental gunshot wound when was young King Bhumibol Adulyadej was in line for his brother’s position. He has taken the name (Which you and I know him as) King Rama IX when he took power in 1946 (he was just 19). He is credited with a social-economic theory of self-sufficiency. His personal wealth is tremendous: Forbes estimated Bhumibol's personal fortune of $35 billion in U.S. dollars.

The note today is new design 50 Baht issued just this year (2012). Featuring King Bhumibol Adulyadej OR King Rama IX. ENJOY!!!