Thailand King Bhumibol Adulyadej acknowledges the crowd in Bangkok during the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of his accession to the throne. Thailand’s Royal Palace said on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, that Thailand’s King Bhumibol, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, has died at age 88.
Thailand’s Royal Palace says King Bhumibol, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, has died at age 88.
The palace said the king passed away peacefully on Thursday at Bangkok’s Siriraj Hospital.
March 7, 1935, file photo, Prince Bhumibol, left, stands with his brother, King Ananda Mahidol of Siam, now known as Thailand, at their school in Lausanne Switzerland. Thailand’s Royal Palace said on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, that Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, has died at age 88.
“Even though the board of doctors has closely monitored and treated him to the best of its abilities, the king’s condition never improved but deteriorated until Thursday,” it said in a statement issued about three hours later.
Dec. 2, 2005, file photo,Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit review the honor guard during a ceremony ahead of his 78th birthday in Bangkok. Thailand’s Royal Palace said on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, that Thailand’s King Bhumibol, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, has died at age 88.
TV stations announcers wore black clothes as they discussed his passing. The brief announcement mentioned his 70-year-reign and noted that he passed away peacefully.
Oct. 28, 1996, file photo, Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, second right, walks with Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II after her arrival at Bangkok’s military airport. Thailand’s Royal Palace said on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, that Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, has died at age 88.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej was Thailand’s lone constant as the country hurtled from a traditional agrarian society to a modern, industrializing nation, and as myriad governments rose and fell. His loss is deeply felt by Thai people, who begin a period of extended mourning for the only monarch most of them have ever known.
Nov. 25, 1996, file photo, U.S. President Bill Clinton, left, meets with Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Chitrlada Palace in Bangkok. Thailand’s Royal Palace said on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, that King Bhumibol, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, has died at age 88.
He was the world’s longest-reigning monarch, on the throne for 70 years. He was widely viewed among his people as a gentle leader who used the influence of the throne to unify the nation and rally troops through the Cold War as Thailand’s neighbors fell under communist control. He squelched coups and rebellions with a gesture or a few well-chosen words.
Oct. 19, 2003, file photo, Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, right, toasts U.S. President George W. Bush, left, at the State Dinner at the Grand Palace in Bangkok. Thailand’s Royal Palace said on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, that King Bhumibol, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, has died at age 88.
Though junta leaders, prime ministers and courtiers approached him only on their knees, Bhumibol was remarkably down-to-earth. He rolled up his sleeves and hiked into impoverished villages and remote rice paddies to assess the state of his country.
Oct. 19, 2003, file photo, Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, right, toasts U.S. President George W. Bush, left, at the State Dinner at the Grand Palace in Bangkok. Thailand’s Royal Palace said on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, that King Bhumibol, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, has died at age 88.
Framed posters, paintings and photographs of the king are ubiquitous in Thai homes and shops, depicting not only an exalted figure in glimmering robes, but also an ordinary-looking man with a camera strapped around his chest. Taxicab windows proclaim “Long Live the King.”
May 25, 2012, file photo, Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, center, is pushed in a wheelchair as he arrives at a rice field in Ayutthaya province, central Thailand. Thailand’s Queen Sirikit, in purple, is walking at rear with Princess Sirindhorn. Thailand’s Royal Palace said on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, that Thailand’s King Bhumibol, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, has died at age 88.
The king’s heir apparent is his son, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, though there are other possible candidates for succession. Bhumibol had the constitutional right to appoint a successor, but it was not immediately known whether he had done so.
