Family of King Bhumibol of Thailand gather at his Bedside

King Bhumibol of Thailand (or King Rama IX) is said to be close to death and members of the royal family, including Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya, and Princess Chulabhorn Walailak, along with members of the Thai cabinet are reportedly at the King’s bedside. King Bhumibol of Thailand is currently on a ventilator in Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok.

Just this afternoon the Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha suddenly cancelled an official engagement in Chonburi and return to Bangkok for “an urgent matter”, believed to be the King’s condition. The King is currently unable to perform his duties, which places the head of the Privy Council, Genereal Prem Tinsulanonda as regent, according to the Thailand Constitution.

“In the case where the King does not appoint the Regent under Section 16, or the King is unable to appoint the Regent owing to His not being sui juris or any other reason whatsoever, the Privy Council shall submit the name of a person suitable to hold the office of the Regent to the National Assembly for approval.”

“While there is no Regent under Section 16 or Section17, the President of the Privy Council shall be Regent pro tempore.”

Meanwhile, the people of Thailand are praying for the health for their beloved King. Thais wearing pink t-shirts are saying prayers at their local temples and are visiting the Siriraj Hospital, where the King is being treated.

The 88-year-old is the world’s longest reigning monarch. He took the throne on 9 June 1946 after the murder of his brother, King Ananda Mahidol. King Bhumibol was born on 5 December 1927 at Cambridge Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusettes, USA. His father was studying at Harvard University at the time of his birth. King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the only monarch to be born in the United States. He married Queen Sirikit in 1950, and they have four children together.