Many countries around the world send condolences to Thailand

(Baonghean.vn) - World leaders have praised the King's contributions and sent condolences to the Thai Royal Family and the people of this country.

Russian President Vladimir Putin affirmed that during his many decades of reign, the King has won the sincere love of his subjects and high prestige abroad. British Prime Minister Theresa May expressed that the King has devoted his whole life to leading the Kingdom of Thailand and he will be remembered forever.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has praised King Bhumibol Adulyadej's contributions to Thailand's development, saying the good relations between Bangkok and Beijing were due to the king's efforts.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej waves as he returns to the Grand Palace in Bangkok in 2012. Photo: Reuters.

European Union (EU) President Donald Tusk and European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said King Bhumibol Adulyadej's agricultural development projects have improved the lives of millions of Thai people.

Member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) also expressed their condolences, praised the contributions of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and sent their deepest condolences to the Royal Family and people of Thailand.

On October 13, all Thai television channels, including international satellite networks, broadcast in black and white and were asked to replace their programs with a state media program that has been prepared for next month.

A sad day for the entire Thai nation when the “people’s king” passed away. Photo: Reuters.

Domestic television channels have switched to broadcasting images and videos of King Bhumibol Adulyadej during his 70-year reign. Satellite channels, including international news channels such as BBC, CNN and Al Jazeera, have also broadcast the same program.

Thailand's major newspapers, including Thairath and Matichon, and even the popular Pantip discussion forum, have carried large black and white images of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, as well as changed their interfaces to black and white.

The King and Queen in Lausanne, Switzerland on September 13, 1949. At that time, King Bhumibol, 21 years old, was studying law in Switzerland. Photo: AP

Meanwhile, life in Bangkok on the morning of October 14 was as busy as usual, but most people were wearing black. The Stock Exchange of Thailand said it and other financial institutions were operating normally.

At the Grand Palace in Bangkok, thousands of people lined up to pour water on the King's portrait - a ritual at royal funerals in Thailand. Security has also been stepped up at palaces, temples and ministries. Soldiers have been deployed at security checkpoints, government offices and intersections.

Iranian King Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlevi, and Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand in 1968. Photo: AP

King Bhumibol Adulyadej passed away at 3:52 p.m. on October 13, after a period of serious illness in Bangkok. King Bhumibol Adulyadej was born in 1927. According to the Thai Constitution, he was appointed King in 1946 after the death of his brother, King Ananda Mahidol. After ascending the throne, he went to Switzerland to complete his studies in law and political science.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej was officially crowned in 1950, making him the world's longest-reigning monarch. Most Thais have never known another king in their lifetime. King Bhumibol Adulyadej is seen as a symbol of national unity. He is one of the most beloved kings in Thai history thanks to more than 2,000 development projects that have changed the lives of millions of poor farmers.

King Bhumibol and US President Bill Clinton at the Thai Grand Palace in 1996. Photo: AP.

The King's birthday is a national holiday, considered as "Father's Day" and National Day of Thailand. With the above great contributions, King Bhumibol Adulyadej was awarded the "Lifetime Achievement Medal for Human Development" by the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan in June 2006./.

Lan Ha

(According to AFP)