THAILAND: Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was the world’s longest-reigning monarch, died in hospital the palace announced on Thursday. “At 15:52 (0852 GMT) he died at Siriraj Hospital peacefully,” the Royal Household Bureau said in a statement. The palace however did not give a reason for the king’s death. Bhumibol, 88, was the world’s longest serving monarch, beloved by his people and portrayed by the palace as a guiding light through decades of political turmoil, coups and violent unrest. But he had not been seen in public for nearly a year as he battled a series of ailments in a Bangkok hospital. Doctors had placed the ailing monarch on a ventilator last week, the palace had said Sunday, adding that the king’s health was “not stable”. Further, they said he was battling kidney problems. Over the last two years the King had also been treated for bacterial infections, breathing difficulties, heart problems and hydrocephalus — a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid often referred to as “water on the brain”. Early on Thursday, around 150 people were holding prayers outside the hospital, many dressed in pink in the belief that the colour will bring the king good luck. His son and apparent heir, the 63-year old Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, is expected to become Thailand’s new king.