H is Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand can now claim a new title, Jazz King, according to Ateeb Maskati, 2006-07 president of the Rotary Club of Bangkok.

Maskati is chairman of a club project to honor the king, who plays the saxophone and has performed with artists like Benny Goodman and Stan Getz. So the club decided to create a CD of the king’s favorite type of music, jazz, and then donate the sale proceeds to build a school for Thailand’s poorest children.

The project was conceived to help the king celebrate two milestones: his 60th anniversary on the throne, in 2006, and his 80th birthday, in 2007.

“It’s [so] exciting to have this music album,” says Maskati, who calls it “a permanent legacy.”

The CD includes King Bhumibol’s own compilations.

The project has raised more than US$100,000 through the sale of more than 33,000 albums and a successful concert. The album, produced by Sony BMG, has reached no. 1 on Thailand’s contemporary jazz music charts and has been in the top 20 on the international music charts.