Thailand’s H.M. King Bhumibol can be credited with bringing jazz music to the minds and hearts of the Thai people many years ago.  While I am not an expert on jazz history especially as it relates to Thailand I provide you with a passage from a Wikipedia article on His Majesty’s jazz accomplishments followed by a documentary-style Youtube video that tells you a little more about His Majesty’s background and showcases some videos of him performing.

H.M. King Bhumibol is an accomplished jazz musician and composer, particularly for his works on the alto saxophone. He was the first Asian composer awarded honorary membership of the Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in Vienna at the age of 32. He used to play jazz music on air on the Or Sor radio station. In his travels, he has played with such jazz legends as Benny Goodman, Jack Teagarden, Lionel Hampton, Maynard Ferguson, and Preservation Hall Jazz Band. His songs can often be heard at social gatherings and are performed in concerts. They can be listened to here.

On 27 June 1967, after a 30-day concert tour, the University of North Texas One O’Clock Lab Band performed at a White House dinner for President and Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson and H.M. King Bhumibol and his wife, Queen Sirikit. In 2003, the University of North Texas College of Music awarded him an Honorary Doctorate in Music.

*Excerpted from Wikipedia