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| Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies at 88 | Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies at 88 |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, has died after 70 years on the throne, the palace says. | Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, has died after 70 years on the throne, the palace says. |
| The king, 88, was widely revered in Thailand. He was seen as a stabilising figure in a country hit by cycles of political turmoil and multiple coups. | The king, 88, was widely revered in Thailand. He was seen as a stabilising figure in a country hit by cycles of political turmoil and multiple coups. |
| He had been in poor health in recent years, making few public appearances. | |
| Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will be the new monarch, the prime minister has said. | |
| Prayuth Chan-ocha also said Thailand would observe a year-long mourning period for King Bhumibol. | |
| "He is now in heaven and may be looking over Thai citizens from there,'' he said. | |
| The king's death comes as Thailand remains under military rule following a coup in 2014. | The king's death comes as Thailand remains under military rule following a coup in 2014. |
| The palace had warned on Sunday that the king's health was "not stable". | The palace had warned on Sunday that the king's health was "not stable". |
| Many Thais had been wearing pink to try to bring good luck to the ailing monarch. Hundreds of people had gathered outside the hospital where he was being treated. | Many Thais had been wearing pink to try to bring good luck to the ailing monarch. Hundreds of people had gathered outside the hospital where he was being treated. |
| "His Majesty has passed away at Siriraj Hospital peacefully," the palace statement said, adding he had died at 15:52 (08:52 GMT). | |
| Parliament is to hold a special session at 21:00 local time (14:00 GMT). | Parliament is to hold a special session at 21:00 local time (14:00 GMT). |
| Unifying monarch | Unifying monarch |
| Given the pivotal role the king has played in maintaining the balance of power in Thailand's volatile political environment, the succession will be a formidable challenge for the government, says the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok. | Given the pivotal role the king has played in maintaining the balance of power in Thailand's volatile political environment, the succession will be a formidable challenge for the government, says the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok. |
| King Bhumibol, who was born in Cambridge in the US state of Massachusetts, acceded to the throne on 9 June 1946 after his brother, King Ananda Mahidol, died. | King Bhumibol, who was born in Cambridge in the US state of Massachusetts, acceded to the throne on 9 June 1946 after his brother, King Ananda Mahidol, died. |
| Though a constitutional monarch with limited powers, King Bhumibol was regarded by many Thais as semi-divine. They looked to him to intervene in times of high tension. | Though a constitutional monarch with limited powers, King Bhumibol was regarded by many Thais as semi-divine. They looked to him to intervene in times of high tension. |
| He was seen as a unifying and calming influence through numerous coups and 20 constitutions. | He was seen as a unifying and calming influence through numerous coups and 20 constitutions. |
| However, his critics argued he had endorsed military takeovers and at times had failed to speak out against human rights abuses. | However, his critics argued he had endorsed military takeovers and at times had failed to speak out against human rights abuses. |
| Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, who is 63, does not attract the same level of affection as his father. | |
| Strict lese-majeste laws mean public discussion of the succession are punishable by lengthy jail terms. |