Thailand’s Revered King, World’s Longest Ruling Monarch, Dies

Bangkok: Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej passed away on Thursday, ending a remarkable seven-decade reign as the world's longest ruling monarch who was considered a demigod and seen as a unifying force in the deeply polarised country. He was 88.

The king passed away at 3.52 pm (local time) at the Siriraj hospital peacefully, the palace said in a statement. Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Princess Soamsawali and Princess Chulabhorn were at the hospital, outside which hundreds of people had gathered for the past two days fervently praying for the widely revered king but broke down on the announcement of his demise. The 63-year-old Crown Prince will succeed the king, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said in a televised address. "The day that Thai people didn't even dare think has come. This is our nation's greatest loss," said Gen Prayuth, wearing a black suit.

Prayuth also said Thailand would hold a one-year mourning period and urged all sectors in the society to refrain from holding entertainment activities for a month. Flags will be flown at half-mast for 30 days and government officials will wear black for a year. He is now in heaven and may be looking over Thai citizens from there, the premier said of King Bhumibol. On Sunday, the palace had said that the king was in an unstable condition after receiving haemodialysis treatment and was on a ventilator battling a new infection.

The widely revered monarch is central to Thai society and was often treated as a virtual god. He was seen as a stabilising figure in a country hit by cycles of political turmoil and multiple coups. The king's death comes as Thailand remains under military rule following a coup in 2014. He was also known as Rama IX, as he was the ninth monarch of the Chakri Dynasty. Having acceded to the throne 70 years ago. King Bhumibol is the world's longest serving monarch, having acceded to the throne when his brother died in 1946. During his seven decades on the throne, the king, has intervened when events threatened to plunge Thailand into crisis.

Amid increasing concerns about his health in recent months, the Royal Household Bureau had issued more frequent bulletins. The crowd of well-wishers praying for the king continued to swell outside Siriraj Hospital, where the monarch spent most of the last two years, as people also gathered at government offices nationwide for prayers. People holding photographs of their loved King could be seen sobbing and some wailing even before an announcement was made this evening.

PTI