once-of-a-life-time sad news that His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej
of Thailand has passed away at 3:52 p.m. at Siriraj Hospital peacefully
at the age of 88.According to the official palace statement, “Even though the board of
doctors has closely monitored and treated him to the best of its
abilities, the King’s condition deteriorated until Thursday.”
Throughout his 70 years on the throne, His Majesty was loved and adored
by the people of Thailand. He has been credited for the advancement of
the modern-day Thailand during his reign.Asian Institute of Technology has been blessed by the continued
gracious supports of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej since its
existence.
In July 1959, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej issued a Royal
Decree to establish the SEATO Graduate School of Engineering, the
precursor of AIT.
After SEATO became defunct, Asian Institute of Technology came into
being on November 24, 1967 under its Royal Charter signed by His
Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on November 15, 1967.
On 4 May 1968, His Majesty graciously presided over the Eighth Annual
Graduation, the first year that AIT conferred its own degrees.
On 14 February 1973, His Majesty graciously presided over the opening
of the present-day AIT campus in Pathumthani province.
On 7 May 1975, at the 18th Graduation Ceremony, AIT conferred its
first honorary degree of Doctor of Engineering on His Majesty.
On 21 July 1987, AIT presented its first Gold Medal to His Majesty in
recognition of His Majesty's outstanding leadership in rural
development.
On 24 January 2001, AIT presented His Majesty with the Degree of
Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) at a ceremony held at Klaikangwol
Palace in Hua Hin for His Majesty's "untiring support to the promotion
of holistic education as an important base for the development of
scientific knowledge and skills."
Between 1970 to 2015, exactly 578 top students from 22 countries in
Asia has received the most prestigious King's Scholarships so they
could return and help contribute to the betterment of their own
countries.
With our paramount gratitude and unmeasurable sorrow for this great
loss, I would like to invite members of the AIT Community to join the
people of our host country to observe a one-year mourning period and
that all entertainment functions in the campus be "toned down" for a
month. A Condolence Digital Book will be made available online later
for members of AIT Community and Alumni to express their final respects
and gratefulness.
With regards,
Yours Sincerely,