Thailand: 1 year of national mourning, restricting all entertainment activities

(Baonghean.vn) - The news of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's passing on the afternoon of October 13th has cast a deep mourning and sadness over Thailand. The people of this country have always considered the world's longest-reigning king to be a symbol of national unity.

Thai people were stunned and burst into tears when they heard the news that the king's health had taken a turn for the worse. Photo: EPA.

King Bhumibol (88 years old), who ascended the throne 70 years ago, has had health problems for a long time, but his condition has worsened in the past week and he has been treated at a hospital in the capital Bangkok.

The Thai Royal Office officially announced: "His Majesty the King breathed his last at Siriraj Hospital at 3:52 p.m. (local time) peacefully."

“Despite the doctors’ best efforts to monitor and treat the king, his health showed no signs of improvement and instead worsened until October 13,” the statement added.

The royal family did not provide any further details or specify the cause of the king's death.

Prince Bhumibol (left) and his brother King Ananda Mahidol of the Kingdom of Siam (predecessor of Thailand) at school in Lausanne, Switzerland on March 7, 1935.

Earlier this week, the Thai royal family announced that King Bhumibol had been put on a ventilator, battling kidney problems and his health was “unstable,” leaving many people fearing the worst.

Hundreds of people took to the streets to pray near where the king was being treated, carrying pictures of the king and wearing pink and yellow - colours associated with royalty.

Many people burst into tears when they heard the news that the king had passed away.

Local media reported that other members of the Thai royal family gathered before the king's death.

The world is now watching closely to see how Thailand's military government reacts to what is seen as a moment of transition and uncertainty for the Southeast Asian nation.

Despite the military's close ties to the royal family, the departure of the Buddhist king also leaves Thailand's political future in uncertainty.

King Bhumibol has been on the throne since 1946, and he will be succeeded by Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej on his 85th birthday in Bangkok. Photo: PA

Immediately after the royal family announced the sad news, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha confirmed the succession information in a statement broadcast on all Thai television channels: "The government will proceed with the succession procedures. The government will inform the National Legislative Assembly that His Majesty the King has appointed a successor on December 28, 1972." This is the day that Prince Vajiralongkorn (now 64 years old) became Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince of Thailand, however, is not as deeply loved by the Thai people as his father. He spends most of his time abroad, and some people consider him a “playboy”.

Although King Bhumibol has not appeared in public for about a year due to poor health, his passing will certainly still come as a huge shock to most Thais.

The king is widely revered by the people, and he is seen as a symbol of stability in the country during decades of coups and political turmoil.

After his death, Queen Elizabeth II became the longest-reigning living monarch.

AFP news agency also quoted the Thai Prime Minister as saying that the country will hold a national mourning period of one year and entertainment activities will be "limited" for the next month.

Phu Binh

(According to Telegraph)