DHAKA: Thailand’s revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej has died at age 88, says a palace statement.

King Bhumibol, the ninth king of the 234-year-old Chakri dynasty, died at the Siriraj Hospital in the capital Bangkok, reports scmp.com.

Prior to his death Bhumibol had held the title of world’s longest reigning living monarch.

He had spent the bulk of his time in recent years in a dedicated royal wing in the facility following multiple age-related ailments including renal failure.

There is widespread expectation that his named successor, the 64-year-old Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, will ascend to the throne.

Bhumibol was venerated as a sentinel of stability in a country that has seen some 20 coups – including 12 successful ones – in the past century.

The nation of 67 million people was plunged into mourning following the king’s death. Hundreds of people were gathered outside the hospital along the scenic Chao Phraya river as the government announcement was made.

Earlier, social media users in the kingdom changed their profile pictures to a template image that had the messages “Love the king”, “Long live the king” and their names inscribed on it. The image featured a yellow heart on a pink background.

“King Bhumibol Adulyadej will be remembered as Thailand’s longest reigning monarch,” said Patrick Jory, a historian at the University of Queensland focused on the history of the Thai monarchy.

“The end of King Bhumibol’s reign is the end of an era for Thailand, but also the start of a new one,” he said.

BDST: 1811 HRS, OCT 13, 2016
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