Bhumibol ascended the throne following the death by gunshot wound of his brother,

King Ananda Mahidol, on 9 June 1946, under circumstances that remain unclear.
While a first government statement stated that Ananda had accidentally shot
himself,[8]:7677 an investigation committee ruled this was virtually impossible.
[8]:87 Two palace aides were eventually convicted of regicide and executed. A third
possibility, that Bhumibol accidentally shot his brother while the brothers played
with their pistols, was never seriously considered, despite the British official
investigation's chronology placing Bhumibol as being the last visitor to the sleeping
king's bedroom 20 minutes prior to the shot.[8]:7778

Bhumibol succeeded his brother, but returned to Switzerland before the end of the
100-day mourning period. Despite his interest in science and technology, he
changed his major and enrolled in law and political science to prepare for his duties
as head of state. His uncle, Rangsit, Prince of Chainat, was appointed Prince Regent.
In Bhumibol's name, Prince Rangsit authorized a military coup that overthrew the
government of Thamrongnawasawat in November 1947.[8]:88 The regent also
signed the 1949 constitution, which returned to the monarchy many of the powers it
had lost by the 1932 Revolution.[8]:9193

While finishing his degree in Switzerland, Bhumibol visited Paris frequently. In Paris
he met Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitiyakara, daughter of the Thai ambassador to
France.[27]

On 4 October 1948, while Bhumibol was driving a Fiat Topolino on the GenevaLausanne road, he collided with the rear of a braking truck 10 km outside Lausanne.
He injured his back and incurred cuts on his face that cost him the sight of his right
eye.[8]:104[28] While he was hospitalised in Lausanne, Sirikit visited him frequently.
She met his mother, who asked her to continue her studies nearby so that Bhumibol
could get to know her better. Bhumibol selected for her a boarding school in
Lausanne, Riante Rive. A quiet engagement in Lausanne followed on 19 July 1949,
and they were married on 28 April 1950, just a week before his coronation.

Bhumibol and Sirikit have four children:

(Formerly HRH) Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya, born 5 April 1951 in Lausanne,

Switzerland; married Peter Ladd Jensen (now divorced), and has two daughters. Her

autistic son, Bhumi Jensen, was killed in the tsunami caused by the 2004 Indian
Ocean earthquake.[29][30]
King Maha Vajiralongkorn, born 28 July 1952; married Mom Luang Soamsawali
Kitiyakara (later divorced and became HRH the Princess Niece); one daughter. Then
married Yuvadhida Polpraserth; four sons and a daughter. Third marriage was to
Srirasmi Suwadee; one son.
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, born 2 April 1955; unmarried
HRH Princess Chulabhorn Walailak, born 4 July 1957; married Virayudh Tishyasarin,
(now divorced); two daughters