King of Thailand, Holder of the Longest Reign in the World, Passes Away

Bhumibol Adulyadej, the King of Thailand who held a god-like and paternal position in his country and was a source of stability for Thailand during several decades of crises both domestically and internationally, passed away peacefully at the age of 88 on Thursday, October 22. Thus, the longest reign in the world has come to an end. According to the Associated Press, the Royal Palace of Thailand announced that he died in a hospital in Bangkok where he had been treated for various ailments in recent years. During his seventy-year reign, Bhumibol Adulyadej became a symbol beyond the constitutional monarchy of the country. Over the years, various governments came to power and were overthrown, but he always used his position and influence to maintain integrity and unity in the country. With his frail body and calm tone, he commanded such respect and influence that during difficult times, such as military coups or armed rebellions, he was able to calm the country with his measured speeches and stances. To the majority of Thailand's Buddhist population, he was regarded as a sacred figure. However, he exhibited humility towards military leaders, prime ministers, and court officials who would kneel when meeting him. He frequently traveled to remote areas and poor villages to meet with the people. The King of Thailand played several musical instruments and collaborated with American jazz greats, including Benny Goodman. Bhumibol was the wealthiest king and one of the richest individuals in the world, with Forbes magazine estimating his wealth at around $30 billion in 2011. In the past decade, he had not appeared in public due to various illnesses and spent most of his time hospitalized. His wife, Queen Sirikit, had also been ill for a long time and rarely participated in public events. Since the recent military coups in 2006 and 2014, rival political factions in Thailand have turned to the royal palace to gain and consolidate power, with some politicians accusing their opponents of insulting the monarchy, which is considered a very serious crime in Thailand. Although Bhumibol Adulyadej claimed he was not above criticism, Thailand's royal laws, which are among the strictest in the world, have always been enforced in recent years, and anyone who insults the monarchy faces a 15-year prison sentence. According to the Associated Press, the Prime Minister of Thailand announced on Thursday that under the Thai constitution, following the king's death, Maha Vajiralongkorn, his crown prince, will ascend to the throne. With the passing of Bhumibol Adulyadej, Queen Elizabeth II of Britain now holds the title of the longest-reigning monarch, having ascended to the throne in 1952. Bhumibol Adulyadej was born on December 5, 1927, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, while his father, Prince Mahidol, was studying medicine at Harvard University. Thailand has been a constitutional monarchy since 1932, with political power held by the Prime Minister and the country's parliament. The king is the head of state and holds a 'place of respect and worship.' Bhumibol Adulyadej ascended to the throne in 1946 after the assassination of his brother Ananda Mahidol, the 20-year-old king of Thailand, who was shot in the head. The circumstances surrounding King Mahidol's death remain shrouded in mystery.