Thailand will enter into a year of mourning following the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej – the world’s longest serving monarch – late yesterday.
The 88-year-old passed away after 70 years on the throne following a long battle with illness. His body will be taken from the Siriraj Hospital to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha next to the Grand Palace at 13:00 today.
His death will be sorely felt across the country, with flags to be flown at half-mast on all schools and government buildings for the next 30 days. Thais have also been urged to refrain from any sort of festivities during that period and to wear black for a year.
Thailand’s National Assembly held a nine minute silence yesterday in honor of King Bhumibol being the ninth monarch of the Chakri dynasty.
