Thailand’s beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, passed away at the age of 88 on October 13, 2016 after 70 years as head of state. A statement was released by the royal household that the king had “passed away peacefully” at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok after battling poor health for some years.
His son, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, was announced as the new monarch to succeed his father’s rule – a somewhat controversial choice.
Many people in Thailand viewed Bhumibol as semi-divine. At the news that the king’s already precarious condition had become unstable, people congregated outside Siriraj Hospital and chanted “Long live the king!” for much of the day before the official statement of his passing was released.
Many members of the crowd wore yellow, considered the king’s colour, while others donned pink, a colour deemed symbolic of the monarch’s well-being.
This story is from the AG 157 edition of ASIAN Geographic.
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This story is from the AG 157 edition of ASIAN Geographic.
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