times thailand: King Bhumibol, who ascended the throne on June 9, 1946, was seen as a force for unity, and there have long been concerns that the political tensions that have riven Thailand over the past decade could worsen after his death, according to The Japan Times. That may be less likely under the regime of the leader of the most recent coup, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. For the majority of the country 68 million people, the king was a pillar of stability in rapidly changing times — Thailand embraced industrialization during his reign but also saw its parliamentary democracy punctuated by 10 military coups, the most recent in May 2014. The former general has held a tight grip on power since toppling the remnants of Thailand last democratic government in 2014. Thailand has been divided for years between the royalist establishment and the red-shirted supporters of exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup. His Majesty has passed away at Siriraj Hospital peacefully, the palace said in a statement on Thursday, adding he died at 15:52.
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