Social media reacts to longest-reigning monarch's death at 88
Thailand's Royal Palace announced the death of the world's longest-reigning monarch, 88-year-old King Bhumibol of Thailand.
According to the palace, Bhumibol passed away peacefully on Thursday at Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital, where hundreds of tearful residents have since gathered outside to mourn his death.
Devastated Thais held photographs of the king while chanting prayers and looking up at the hospital building where he had been treated. "There is no word to explain my feeling right now," Gaewkarn Fuangtong, a humanitarian worker, said in Bangkok's financial district.
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"I lost one of the most important people in my life. I feel like I haven't done enough for him. I should have done more. I will do good, do better for his sake."
Bhumibol Adulyadej (pronounced poo-mee-pon ah-dun-yaa-det) became king in 1946 and was revered in Thailand as a demigod. He anchored the Southeast Asian country through violent upheavals at home and communist revolutions next door with a blend of majesty and a common touch.
Following the news, the people of Thailand, along with world leaders including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak shared their grief on Twitter:
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Bhumibol had suffered from a variety of ailments related to old age, including kidney and lung problems, which caused him to withdraw from public life over the last decade. He lived at the hospital where he recently passed away and had been notably silent about the political upheaval that has shaken Thailand in recent years.
In a statement late Wednesday, the palace said Bhumibol's blood pressure had dropped, his liver and kidneys were not working properly and he was on a ventilator.
"Even though the board of doctors has closely monitored and treated him to the best of its abilities, the king's condition never improved," the hospital said in a statement.
Because Bhumibol has been king since 1946, there is great concern about the succession. Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, who returned home from Germany on Wednesday, has not earned the same respect as his father.
"He is now in heaven and may be looking over Thai citizens from there," said Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.
He announced that Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn would become the new monarch in accordance with the constitution and that government officials will observe a one-year mourning period. No government events will be held for one month.
Additional reporting by Nicole Gallucci.
