Tributes for Thailand’s greatest monarch

BANGKOK World leaders paid tribute to Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej as a champion of his people during a momentous seven-decade reign.

HM the King, whose reign witnessed regular bouts of political turmoil, 19 coups and violent unrest, was revered as a serene and caring father of the nation, and a bulwark in troubled times.

Born 1927, His Majesty the King passed away Thursday afternoon at the age of 88, after a prolonged illness. He was the world’s longest reigning monarch, but he will be remembered for his love and dedication for all Thai people regardless of wealth position, colour or creed.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon hailed the king’s “long dedication to his country and his legacy as a unifying national leader… respected internationally”.

“The Secretary-General expresses his hope that Thailand will continue to honour King Bhumibol’s legacy of commitment to universal values and respect for human rights,” his spokesman said in a statement.

President Barack Obama praised the monarch as a “close friend” and partner of the United States.

He paid tribute to the king as a “tireless champion” for Thailand’s development, praising his “unflagging devotion” to improving the lives of his subjects.

“I had the honour of calling on His Majesty the King during my visit to Thailand in 2012, and recall his grace and warmth, as well as his deep affection and compassion for the Thai people,” he said.

HM the King was revered as semi-divine by many in Thailand, and a towering leader above the din of the kingdom’s fractious political scene.

In his heyday he built a reputation as a people’s monarch, criss-crossing the nation to visit the rural poor and sometimes intervening to quell political violence.

Neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia both expressed their sorrow at his passing, with the island city-state describing the king as “an outstanding and deeply revered monarch… (who) worked tirelessly for the betterment of the Thai people”.

President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram of condolence, saying that “during the decades of his reign he won the sincere love of his subjects and high prestige abroad”.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said Bhumibol “guided the Kingdom of Thailand with dignity, dedication and vision throughout his life. He will be greatly missed”.

Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed Bhumibol’s contribution to Thailand’s development, adding that the “good relationship” between Bangkok and Beijing were due in no small part to “personal efforts made by King Bhumibol himself”.

Bhumibol’s “rural development projects improved the lives of millions of people in Thailand” and will be remembered for generations to come, said EU President Donald Tusk and European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “People of India and I join the people of Thailand in grieving the loss of one of the tallest leaders of our times, King Bhumibol Adulyadej.”

sourced:ttrweekly.com