Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest reigning monarch, dies at the age of 88 in hospital Thursday Oct 13,2016

Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej has died aged 88 in Bangkok hospital
 
He was the world's longest reigning monarch coming to throne in 1946
 
Bhumibol had been suffering from a number of ailments before his death 

Over the last decade, the once vigorous Bhumibol had withdrawn from public life due to a series of illnesses.

 His wife, Queen Sirikit, has also long been ailing and has been even more rarely seen.

The Thai palace announced his death saying that he passed away peacefuly in hospital earlier this morning.

A statement said: 'His Majesty has passed away at Siriraj Hospital peacefully

The Thai government has announced a year-long mourning period  

 
His son Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn is expected to become new king

Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej's successor Prince Vajiralongkorn is much less well known to Thais and has yet to attain his father's widespread popularity.

He spends much of his time overseas, especially in Germany, and is a keen pilot who flies his own Boeing 737.

In recent years, and especially since the 2014 coup, he has made more frequent public appearances inside Thailand and taken on a larger number of royal engagements.

King Bhumibol with his son Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn

Before his death when the Thai people were told the King's health had deteriorated, many flocked to the Bangkok hospital where he was being treated 

 

Many of those outside the hospital clutched pictures of the King and wore pink and yellow shirts