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A nation’s tears: Thai king was ‘like our father’

Revered monarch, who reigned for seven decades, dies after years of ill health, leaving his kingdom of 67 million people in deep mourning

Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Thai women holding pictures of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej cry and mourn as they hear the news of His Majesty's death outside Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo: EPA
Thailand was plunged in deep mourning on Thursday while tributes poured in from world leaders after the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, revered as a sentinel of stability in a country beset by constant political *turmoil.

His Majesty has passed away at Siriraj Hospital peacefully ... Although the team of doctors treated him to the best of their ability, his condition deteriorated

Palace statement

The Royal Palace issued a statement in the evening *announcing the *88-year-old monarch, following long, age-related illness, including renal failure, had died. Thailand’s junta named the king’s 64-year-old son, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, as his successor.

“His Majesty has passed away at Siriraj Hospital peacefully,” the palace said, adding that he died at 3.52pm local time. The official announcement came three hours later.

“Although the team of doctors treated him to the best of their ability, his condition deteriorated,” the palace said as large crowds broke into mourning *outside the hospital where the monarch had spent most of the last two years.

The king , who reigned for seven decades after ascending the throne in 1946, was revered for his work in rural development and conservation. He acted as a backbone for the kingdom of 67 million people that has seen some 20 attempted coups in the last century – including 12 successful ones.

“I feel so saddened by this news. He has given so many things to the country,” Apinut *Jaroonpipatkul, a 25-year-old medical student, said.

Many among the more than 1,000 people gathered at the hospital broke down in tears as the news of the king’s death broke. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, the former army chief who leads the junta, said in a televised address that the nation would hold a one-year mourning period and that all entertainment functions must be “toned down” for a month.

People mourn for the death of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej outside Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok. Photo: Xinhua

A royal cremation is expected to take months to prepare. When the king’s sister died in 2008, a 100-day mourning period was declared. She was cremated 10 months after her death.

The heir’s coronation will not take place until the mourning period is over. Vajiralongkorn was named crown prince in 1972. He has yet to attain his father’s widespread popularity.

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha makes a statement following the death of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, in Bangkok. Photo: Reuters

He also spends much of his time overseas, especially in Germany, and is a keen pilot who flies his own Boeing 737. Serhat Unaldi, a Germany-based author of a book about the Thai monarchy, said: “There is no alternative to Vajiralongkorn. According to the Palace Law of Succession, he is the rightful heir to the throne.

“Another choice as successor would have lacked legal legitimacy, but also the charismatic sources of royal power that are inherent in the blood of the successor and that the elite draws upon.”

US President Barack Oabama led the world in offering condolences to Thailand.

“As the revered leader and only monarch that most Thais have ever known, His Majesty was a tireless champion of his country’s development and demonstrated unflagging devotion to improving the standard of living of the Thai people,” Obama said in a White House statement.

People mourn for the death of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej outside Siriraj Hospital. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong executive councillor Bernard Chan, a member of the Thai-Chinese family that founded Bangkok Bank, told the South China Morning Post : “Although the king did not have any real power, he was a unifying and stabilising force in the country in the past three decades. Rival camps often heeded his calls to sit down for talks to reconcile their differences.”

Hong Kong’s Thai residents were also in mourning last night after hearing the news.

“He is like our father. I just can’t believe the news,” said *Vivian Jan, a local resident for 26 years.

Market watchers said the Thai stock market and the baht would remain under pressure after sharp declines this week.

“In the aftermath of this sad event we are expecting investor nervousness to intensify due to political uncertainty,” Jeffrey Halley, a Singapore-based senior market analyst with Oanda, said.


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