Bhumibol Adulyadej

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Son Bathes Dead Thai King's Charred Bones in Last Goodbye

King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 5-day funeral is underway

(Newser) - With solemn faces and outright tears, Thais said farewell to their king and father figure with elaborate funeral ceremonies that cap a year of mourning and are steeped in centuries of tradition. Smoke rose just before midnight Thursday from the spectacularly ornate crematorium built in the year since King Bhumibol...

After Unusual Delay, Rama X Takes His Throne

Maha Vajiralongkorn wanted to mourn his late father, who ruled before him for 70 years

(Newser) - Thailand has a new king, with the country's crown prince formally taking the throne to succeed his much-revered late father, who reigned for 70 years. The new monarch, who received the title "His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun," assumed his new position Thursday, according to an announcement...

Thailand Is Running Out of Black Clothes

Government warns against price-gouging

(Newser) - A lot of people in Thailand have apparently discovered that they don't have enough black clothing in their wardrobes for a full year of mourning . Vendors across the country are struggling to cope with a surge in demand for black clothes after the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej , and...

Thailand's People Asked to Avoid 'Joyful' Events

All TV broadcasts switched to black and white in wake of king's death

(Newser) - Thailand has declared a full year of mourning for King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was the world's longest-reigning monarch before his death on Thursday at the age of 88. The AP reports that a public holiday was declared Friday, the country's first day without a king in 70 years,...

World's Longest Reigning Monarch Dies at 88

King Bhumibol ruled Thailand for 70 years, was revered

(Newser) - King Bhumibol Adulyadej, revered in Thailand as a demigod, a humble father figure, and an anchor of stability through decades of upheaval at home and abroad, died Thursday. He was 88 and had been the world's longest reigning monarch, reports the AP . The Royal Palace said Bhumibol died "...

What Happens After Thailand's King Dies?

88-year-old King Bhumibol reportedly 'not stable' after latest medical procedure

(Newser) - Despite years of political instability in Thailand, one thing has remained constant in the country's government for more than 70 years: the monarchy, led by beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The king's visage adorns Thailand's money, posters of him hang everywhere, and a tribute to him plays before...

Thai Woman Gets 7 Years for Facebook Post

She said a coup was coming: lawyer

(Newser) - Thailand's controversial laws banning insults toward the monarchy have claimed another victim: A single mom, identified only as Chayapha, has been sentenced to seven years in prison "for posting on Facebook that a counter-coup against the junta was imminent," her lawyer tells the Bangkok Post . He adds...

Thai King, 87, Leaves Hospital in Rare Outing

Ailing Bhumibol Adulyadej was driven through Bangkok for coronation anniversary

(Newser) - Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej made a rare public appearance today—a national holiday—to mark the 65th anniversary of his coronation. All television stations carried the event live, as the 87-year-old monarch emerged in a wheelchair from a Bangkok hospital where he has taken up residence and was...

Coup Leader to Thais: Don't Criticize

King is on my side, general says

(Newser) - Bolstered by a royal endorsement to run the country after last week's coup, Thailand's junta leader has warned against mounting opposition to the takeover, ordering Thais not to cause trouble, not to criticize, not to protest—or else face a return to the "old days" of street...

Author Insults Thai King, Editor Gets 10-Year Sentence

Author has since fled to Cambodia

(Newser) - A Thai magazine editor was today sentenced to 10 years in prison for insulting the king. If that sounds extreme, consider this: Somyot Pruksakasemsuk didn't actually write the insults, he just published them. (The author has since fled to Cambodia.) And they didn't appear in articles of...

American Gets 2.5 Years for Insulting Thai Royals

Joe Gordon posted links to banned biography of king

(Newser) - A court in Thailand sentenced a US citizen to two and a half years in prison today for defaming the country's royal family by translating excerpts of a locally banned biography of the king and posting them online. The 55-year-old Thai-born American, Joe Gordon, stood calmly with his ankles...

Thai Civil War Fears Grow
 Thai Civil War Fears Grow
Apr 27, 2010 12:21 AM CDT

Thai Civil War Fears Grow

Protests spread from Bangkok to provinces

(Newser) - The unrest in Thailand is rapidly spreading from Bangkok to the provinces, raising fears that widespread civil conflict looms. Supporters of anti-government Red Shirt protesters have been blocking roads around the country to prevent reinforcements of police and soldiers reaching the capital, the BBC reports. Protesters in Bangkok caused chaos...

King's Illness Complicates Thai Tensions

Monarch fails to appear as politicians battle for control

(Newser) - Politicians in Thailand are squabbling as they seek to form a new government, days after a court barred the prime minister and other leading figures from holding office. But as many Thais looked to their long-serving king for guidance, the revered 81-year-old monarch canceled his traditional birthday speech yesterday, citing...

3K Stranded in Bangkok as PM Refuses to Step Down

Army pressures government as violence grows between factions

(Newser) - Thailand’s government today rejected a top general’s demand it dissolve parliament and hold elections, the Guardian reports, as protesters demand that Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat step down entirely. Wongsawat snuck back into Thailand today and plans to meet with the king, whom protesters support; a pro-government gang killed...

Insult This Man, Spend 15 Years in the Pokey

Thai pols accuse foes of slighting king to hamstring them

(Newser) - The crime of insulting a king sounds like a medieval holdover—but in Thailand, an unkind word about King Bhumibol Adulyadej can land you in prison for 15 years. The country's recent political upheaval has coincided with a spike in accusations of maligning the monarch, the Wall Street Journal reports—...

In Thailand, Everyone Wants to Be in the Pink

The king goes pastel; a fashion craze is born

(Newser) - On the advice of royal astrologers, the ailing Thai king has added pink to his wardrobe, sparking a national fashion trend. The chromatic rush had one clothing chain selling 40,000 pink shirts this month, BBC reports. A woman camping out in a line to buy one said, “Wearing...

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