Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand, died on 13 October 2016, leading to reactions from within Thailand and around the world. Many Thais paid tribute to the king and his 70-year reign, as did other world leaders and monarchs who expressed their condolences. Media outlets in Thailand suspended their programming and broadcast tributes to the late king or switched to monochrome.
Political
Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha addressed the nation in a speech:
International
Africa : President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf had sent two separate messages of consolation to the Governments and Peoples of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Republic of Haiti. President Sirleaf stated: "It is with profound shock and deep sorrow that we have learned of the death news of His Royal Highness Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of the Kingdom of Thailand". : President Muhammadu Buhari condoled with the royal family, government and people of Thailand. In a statement, he extolled the monarch's extraordinary and committed leadership to his people over a period of seven decades. The president noted the deceased's exceptional stewardship which saw Thailand emerged as one of Southeast Asia's leading economies. He said the "highly revered monarch will be long remembered for his towering role and dedication to improving the lives and aspirations of the Thai people". : President James Michel expressed his condolences to Prime Minister Prayut and said "The king was highly regarded as a unifying father figure with a towering presence. As well an influential and revered figure that commanded the respect of the Thai people as well as the world. The King was prominently engaged in championing democracy over the country he governed with justice, pride and devotion to his people and remained unhinged, being loyal and benevolent in his humble ways to the very end". : President Jacob Zuma extended condolences to the people of Thailand following the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. In a statement, the President said "The South African government extends its most sincere condolences to the government and people of the Kingdom of Thailand in this moment of sadness and grief". He also added that "during King Adulyadej's tenure, he became a unifying father figure and rare source of stability. In all the 70 years as King of Thailand, His Majesty King Bhumibol worked to serve his people, and was regarded as close to divine by the Thais".
Americas
: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship said "Throughout its 70-year reign, His Majesty has earned the respect and affection not only of the Thai people but also of the entire international community". : President Michel Temer expressed condolences during a speech at the 8th BRICS summit in Goa, India. : Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted: "My condolences to all those mourning the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. My thoughts are with his loved ones and the people of Thailand". : President Jimmy Morales by means of a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: "His Majesty the King of Thailand, was recognized and appreciated by his country, was characterized by dedicating his life to the service of his people. The Government of the Republic of Guatemala sends to the People and Kingdom of Thailand, as well as to the Royal family, their most heartfelt sympathy and solidarity." : President Enrique Peña Nieto tweeted: "Regretfully, I have received the news of the death of His Majesty the King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej. My condolences to the people and government of Thailand for this heartfelt loss". : Vice President and First Lady Rosario Murillo said: "We would like to express our condolences to the people of Thailand, to the families of Thailand, to the Government of Thailand that is in mourning after the death of their King". : The Government of Panama, through its Foreign Affairs Ministry expressed its condolences to Thailand and said "Panama stands in solidarity with the Government, the People and the Royal House, for such a sensitive loss and wishes for the continued well-being of the Thais". : President Barack Obama offered his condolences to Thailand on the death of the king. Obama said King Bhumibol Adulyadej was a "tireless champion" of his country's development and also showed an "unflagging devotion" to improving the standard of living for the Thai people. Obama said the king was a close friend of the United States and a valued partner of many US presidents. He recalled meeting the king during a 2012 visit to Thailand. He said the king leaves behind a legacy of care for the Thai people that future generations will cherish. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said that the Department of Defense joined President Obama in offering their condolences to the Royal Family of the Kingdom of Thailand and the people of Thailand. "As his majesty's legacy is being honored around the world, I want in particular to recognise his majesty's contributions to the longstanding alliance between our two nations". Secretary of State John Kerry said that the United States "stands with the people of Thailand at this difficult time" after the death of its king. Kerry said in a statement "Our thoughts and prayers are with you. King Bhumibol Adulyadej was born in the US, thus a square named for Bhumibol at his birthplace in Cambridge, Massachusetts will remain an enduring memorial to the special bond he created between our peoples. He will be long remembered and will be deeply missed". Although US-Thai relations ties have been strained since a 2014 military coup in Thailand, the two nations are close allies and have diplomatic relations dating back more than 180 years. Bhumibol visited the US twice in the 1960s and addressed Congress. Former President Bill Clinton and former first lady and Democratic Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton have offered their heartfelt condolences over the death of Thailand's king, calling him a kind, good leader. "His Majesty deepened ties between the US and Thailand, our first ally in Southeast Asia. He was a true servant leader, acting with wisdom, strength, humility, and genuine care for the welfare of all people. Adding "I was honoured to visit Thailand as President on the 50th year of his reign when we celebrated our shared love of jazz music, and Hillary was grateful to have had the opportunity, with President Obama, to visit with His Majesty on her last trip to Thailand".
Asia
: President Ilham Aliyev expressed condolences to Prime Minister Prayut over King Bhumibol's death. In a statement, he said "I was deeply saddened by the news of the death of Bhumibol Adulyadej, the King of Thailand. We share your grief on the occasion of this heavy loss, and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan and on my own behalf, I extend my deep condolences to you, all members of the Royal family and the friendly people of Thailand". : Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmud Ali signed a book of condolence at the Thai Embassy in Dhaka. He wrote "His Majesty King Bhumibol has always been held in the highest esteem in Bangladesh as a symbol of benevolence, dedication and humanitarianism. The example of his leadership, accomplishments and love for his people will remain as a lasting legacy not only for Thailand but also for the region". : Prime Minister Hun Sen signed a book of condolence at the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh. He wrote: "In this moment of deepest sadness for you and your country, allow me, on behalf of the Royal Government and people of Cambodia, to extend my heartfelt sympathies and profound condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and all members of Royal Family, as well as the Government and the people of the Kingdom of Thailand for this great loss". : 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". The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that Bhumibol worked to strengthen ties between China and Thailand and "made an irreplaceable contribution to cementing the two people's friendship and expanding bilateral cooperation. China deeply mourns King Bhumibol's passing and expresses sincere condolences to the Thai people and government". : Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam expressed profound sadness at the passing of the king. In a statement, she said "On behalf of the people and Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, it is with great sadness that I express our profound condolences on the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. We join the people of Thailand during this period of national mourning and reflection". : Secretary for Administration and Justice Sonia Chan sent a telegram to Prime Minister Prayut to express condolences on the death of the King. The message stated "Having ruled Thailand for 70 years, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej devoted his life to the country and its people. Under his rule, Thailand achieved steady development, enhancing the love and respect the Thai people felt for him". : President Pranab Mukherjee wrote on his Twitter account that: "People of India share the sorrow and grief of the people of Thailand. Heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand". Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the King Bhumibol or Rama IX as "one of the tallest leaders of our times" and offering his condolences to the King family. Indian National Congress President Sonia Gandhi also extended condolences to the members of the royal family and people of Thailand, saying "India has lost a good friend with the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej". : President Joko Widodo said the king was a world leader who was close to his people and brought prosperity during his reign of 70 years. On behalf of the Indonesian government and people, he expressed deep condolences on the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. "The world has lost a leader who was close to the people, a carrier of peace and unity and prosperity for the people of Thailand." Jokowi added that the "Thai King's modesty and concerns for his people deserves to be emulated". : President Hassan Rouhani offered condolences in a letter to Prime Minister Prayut, saying Iran "always regards [the] Kingdom of Thailand as an age-old friend and partner and hopes to see the expansion of bilateral relations in all fields". : The Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing condolences to Thailand, saying it "shares in the Thai people's sorrow". The ministry advised Israeli tourists in Thailand of a particular need to show "understanding, restraint and patience during this time of sensitivity to many Thais". : Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said: "I remember King Bhumibol as a highly gifted and gentle person. As a spiritual support for the people, His Majesty has led Thailand's remarkable development and advancement of the people's living standard. [...] The king's great contribution in deepening friendship between Japan and Thailand will be remembered by all Japanese people." : President Nursultan Nazarbayev sent a telegram to Prime Minister Prayut. In his message, "In memory of the people of Kazakhstan Bhumibol Adulyadej will forever remain a visionary leader and a man of outstanding personality that has made a particular contribution to the establishment and development of friendly relations between our countries. I sharing the pain of loss, on behalf of the people of Kazakhstan expresses deep condolences to Prayut Chan-o-cha, the royal family and all the people of Thailand".