Thais mourn death of their beloved King Bhumibol
Thailand King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who passed away at the age of 88 on Thursday. He is the world’s longest-reigning monarch and one of the country’s most revered leaders.
By Hong Dam-young
Thailand is in mourning after the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world’s longest-reigning monarch and one of the country’s most revered leaders.
Thailand plunged into grief on Thursday after their father figure died at the age of 88 in Bangkok’s Siriraj Hospital after suffering poor health for years.
King Bhumibol, who took the throne in 1946 aged 18, earned the Thai people’s respect for his efforts to bring stability to a country that has been grappling with decades of political turmoil due to military coups and protests. He was a monarch with limited official power under military rule, but the country had perceived him as a pivotal figure who tried to maintain the balance of power in a volatile political environment.
The government has asked people to wear black and hold back on “joyful events.” Friday was also declared a statutory holiday, with flags to be held at half-mast for the next 30 days.
The king's body will be taken to the city's Emerald Temple later Friday. Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, 64, will be the new monarch, but he has asked for time to mourn his father’s death before succession.
Korean President Park Geun-hye expressed her condolences to Thailand, saying the king’s leadership to bring harmony will always be remembered, Yonhap news agency reported.
"His leadership, which has steered the nation towards integration and harmony, will always be remembered," the president said.