His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand turns 72 on December 5, 1999. And because Thai heritage attaches great significance to birthdays that are divisible by 12, the Swiss community in Thailand decides to donate a sundial to the Thai population. The King, an accomplished musician, has many ties to Switzerland. His Majesty spent his youth and scholarly years in Switzerland from 1933 to 1950. The house of Türler was honored to have been chosen to create the sundial and for once be a purveyor to the court.
Monday, August 2, 1999, in Bangkok's Lumpini Park: The sister of the King of Thailand, Her Royal Majesty Princess Galyani Vadhana, accepts the valuable gift from Franz Türler (left) and Bernard Freymond (right), the Swiss Ambassador to Thailand. Among other scores, a band plays the national anthem of Switzerland and the Royal Anthem which His Majesty had composed personally years ago.