Poom Jensen

Khun Poom Jensen (Thai: พุ่ม เจนเซน; Phum; [pʰǔm]; 16 August 1983 – 26 December 2004), born Bhumi Jensen (also spelled Poomi Jensen, Thai: ภูมิ เจนเซน; Phumi; [pʰuːmí]), was a grandson of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, after whom he was named. He was also a nephew of Vajiralongkorn, the current King of Thailand. He was the son of the King's eldest daughter, Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya, and her American (former) husband Peter Ladd Jensen.

Biography

Poom, as he was commonly known, had autism, his status helping heighten awareness of the condition in Thailand. He attended Kasetsart University Laboratory School in Bangkok. He spent his childhood in San Diego County, California, where he graduated from Torrey Pines High School. Poom moved with his mother to Thailand in July 2001, after his graduation.

Death and legacy

Jensen drowned after being struck by the Indian Ocean tsunami on 26 December 2004, while he and his family were on holiday at the La Flora Resort hotel in Khao Lak. His body was discovered on the beach the following day. His uncle, then-Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, identified his body and flew the rest of the family to Bangkok. On 30 April 2005, he received a royal funeral attended by his grandfather the King and virtually every member of the Royal Family.

His mother, Princess Ubolratana, established the Khun Poom Foundation in his memory, to aid children with autism and other learning disabilities. She also founded "To Be Number One Project" to campaign against drug usage among teenagers.

Honors

Police rank

• Police Sub Lieutenant

Volunteer Defense Corps of Thailand rank

• Volunteer Defense Corps Major

Ancestry