Pretoria - President Zuma has extended condolences to the people of Thailand following the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
“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,” President Zuma said in a statement.
King Bhumibol ascended the throne in 1946 at the age of 18. His passing on Thursday after a long illness at the age of 88, has ended his seven decades on the throne.
The Presidency says 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.”
The late monarch was dubbed King of Agriculture as he was widely known for his initiatives on the agricultural and irrigational sector, which were formulated into some 4 000 development projects throughout the country during the last several decades.
He was as well noted for initiating the so-called sufficiency economy, which was not only promoted in Thailand but also in other developing countries. - SAnews.gov.za
