Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej has died aged 88, ending seven decades on the throne during which he became a unifying father figure and rare source of stability in a country that has weathered more than a dozen coups since he came to power in 1946 aged just 18.
- A statement from the royal household bureau said Bhumibol, who was the world’s longest-reigning monarch, “passed away peacefully” at Siriraj hospital in Bangkok.
- Most Thais have only known King Bhumibol on the throne and his influence has superseded that of bickering politicians since the closing days of the Second World War.
DO YOU KNOW?
- Bhumibol Adulyadej (5 December 1927 – 13 October 2016) known as King Bhumibol the Great, was the ninth monarch of Thailand from the Chakri Dynasty as Rama IX.
- Having reigned since 9 June 1946, he was, at the time of his death, the world’s longest-serving head of state and the longest-reigning monarch in Thai history, serving for 70 years, 127 days
- During his reign, he was served by a total of 30 prime ministers beginning with Pridi Banomyong and ending with Prayut Chan-o-cha.
- Bhumibol was born at Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the United States, on 5 December 1927.
- The king chose Bhumibol Adulyadej, meaning “strength of the land, incomparable power.
- Bhumibol ascended the throne following the death by gunshot wound of his brother, King Ananda Mahidol, on 9 June 1946.
