King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand Dies at 88; Reigned 70 Years

[MelissaB]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by In_The_Wind (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: NY Times

King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, who took the throne of the kingdom once known as Siam shortly after World War II and held it for more than 70 years, establishing himself as a revered personification of Thai nationhood, died on Thursday in Bangkok. He was 88 and one of the longest-reigning monarchs in history.

The royal palace said that he died at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, but it did not give a cause or further details.

King Bhumibol, politically influential and highly revered, was a unifying figure in a deeply polarized country, and his death casts a pall of uncertainty across Thailand.

The military junta, which seized power in a coup two years ago, derives its authority from the king. The king’s heir apparent, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, is seen by many as a jet-setting playboy and not held in the same regard as his father. And the king’s death raises questions about the future of the monarchy itself.

More: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/14/world/asia/thai-king-bhumibol-adulyadej-dies.html

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/14/world/asia/thai-king-bhumibol-adulyadej-dies.html

[MelissaB]

1. Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will become the new monarch

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha says Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will become the new monarch after the death of his father in accordance with the constitution.

He said the king had designated his successor on Dec. 28, 1972. "We the government must proceed with the next steps in accordance with the law," he said.

Prayuth did not name Vajiralongkorn specifically, but it has been officially proclaimed that he was named the successor by his father 44 years ago.

Link: http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2016-10-13/the-latest-palace-says-thailands-king-has-died

[MelissaB]

2. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha went on TV to urge all sectors in the society to refrain

PM calls on all sectors to refrain holding entertainment for one month

He made the announcement after the Royal Household Bureau announced His Majesty's
death.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/PM-calls-on-all-sectors-to-refrain-holding-enterta-30297637.html

[MelissaB]

3. Offical period of mourning

Summary – following the official announcement of the death of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej there is now an official period of mourning of one year from 14 October 2016; you should respect the feelings and sensitivities of the Thai people at this time; access to entertainment, including restaurants, bars, and shopping areas may be restricted and you should behave respectfully when in public areas; if possible, wear sombre and respectful clothing when in public; check local media regularly and follow the advice of the local authorities

Link: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand

[cab67]

4. I remember seeing the King on TV in Thailand a couple of years ago (January 2014)

There were (and presumably still are) pictures of the King everywhere, even in the rural area where I was working most of the time. The smallest roadside vegetable stand would have a framed portrait of the King somewhere. They really held him in deep reverence.

I didn't realize how old the pictures were until the King made a televised visit to a construction site. He rode what appeared to be a motorized Lay-Z-Boy, and it became apparent that the most recent of the pictures couldn't have been taken after 1990.

[In_The_Wind]

5. Locking Duplicate Thread

dupe of http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141596064