The Great Crown of Victory
I think the crown of the king of Thailand is one of the most spectacular and noteworthy extant crowns. It is known as the Phra Maha Phichai Mongkut or “great crown of victory” and it is only worn by the king when he ascends the throne. Made for King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (aka Rama I) in 1782, the crown is a soaring multi-tiered conical structure reminiscent of a particularly ornate stupa. It was manufactured from 15 pounds of gold ornamented with red and green enamel. A subsequent king of Siam, Rama IV, had diamonds added to the crown including the Phra Maha Wichian Mani, a huge Indian diamond which was set at the apex. Perhaps the magnificence and unique appearance of the headdress are appropriate, since it belongs to King Bhumibol, the world’s longest serving head of state and one of the few contemporary monarchs to wield any real power over his nation. Additionally, King Bhumibol is reckoned by Forbes to be the richest of the world’s current monarchs. He ascended to the throne of Thailand in 1946 after his brother’s death by gunshot (although he did not assume the great crown of victory until 1950). Tragically, Bhumibol was probably the last person to see his brother alive. To quote Wikipedia, “During his long reign he has seen over 15 coups, 16 constitutions, and 27 changes of prime ministers.”
King Bhumibol Wearing the Great Crown of Victory on his Coronation Day
Aside from the great crown of victory, the Thai monarch has 27 other items of royal regalia including the the Sword of Victory, the Royal Staff, the Royal Fan (or Flywhisk), and the Royal Slippers (ฉลองพระบาท). These items are kept for the king (along with other royal items) at the Grand Palace in Bankok. It may seem impressive that King Bhumibol, has more pieces of royal regalia at his palace than I have socks, but his flywhisk and slippers pale to insignificance beside his monstrous gold carriage, the 33 foot tall Phra Maha Phichai Ratcarot and his fleet of carved, gilded barges.
The King's Royal Carriage
and his royal barges....
ferrebeekeeper 
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December 9, 2010 at 4:35 AM
Emilio
That crown was not Bhumibol’s crown, it belonged to his brother Ananda Mahidol, who was brutally murdered. How dare the Thai king grab Ananda’s crown and declare himself king on the same day as his brother’s death.
It’s time to abolish lese majeste law and investigate fully who killed Ananda mahidol.
December 9, 2010 at 7:02 PM
Hieronymo
It’s a very serious matter to hint that such a beloved and ruthlessly determined king murdered his own brother–especially when said king controls the Thai military. Anyway any witnesses to whatever happened were hastily executed after shoddy trials long long ago.
September 28, 2012 at 11:39 AM
Beatrix
“During his long reign he has seen over 15 coups, 16 constitutions, and 27 changes of prime ministers.”
My goodness, Thailand isn’t the peaceable Buddhist kingdom I thought it was.
September 28, 2012 at 12:21 PM
Wayne
Beatrix, I would hardly go so far as to say that (not considering Thailand’s opprobrious lèse-majesté laws).