World leaders pay tribute

CONDOLENCES have poured in from world leaders and international organisations after His Majesty the King’s death.

UK’s Queen Elizabeth II has sent a private message of condolence to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit and HRH the Crown Prince. The message will remain private. Following the demise of HM the King, Queen Elizabeth is now the world’s longest-reigning monarch.

British Prime Minister Theresa May also expressed her sincere personal condolences to the Royal Family and the people of Thailand. She said His Majesty had guided the Kingdom “with dignity, dedication and vision throughout his life”. 

“He will be greatly missed,” she added. “Our thoughts are with the people of Thailand at this difficult time.”

UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the King was greatly respected at home and around the globe “for his wisdom and dedication”. He said: “I offer the people of Thailand and the Royal Family my profound sympathy at this sad time.”

South Korean President Park Geun-hye said: “On behalf of people and the South Korean government, I offered my deepest condolences and consolation to the bereaved family and the people of Thailand on the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.”

Park said there was a special connection between His Majesty the King and the Republic of Korea as it was under his reign that Thailand participated in the Korean War.

“As the ‘father’ and spiritual leader of Thailand, His Majesty led Thailand for 70 years, during which he has lived the history of Thailand from the birth of the modern Thailand in 1932 to the present.”

She said the King’s leadership, which brought the Thai people together in unity and harmony, would be forever remembered. “His Majesty has enjoyed profound respect for his unstinting love of the Thai people, in particular, for this life-long devotion to the most poor and needy, and I pray that his soul rests in eternal peace.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the King had modernised and strengthened his country during his seven decades on the throne. She said he had worked tirelessly for the welfare of Thais and steered the country through political and economic crises.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said His Majesty the King had contributed significantly to the friendship between Thailand and Germany. For seven decades, he added, the King decisively shaped the destiny of Thailand. “I was deeply saddened to learn of his death,” he said. “King Bhumibol tirelessly devoted himself to peace and to the well-being of the Thai people. For this, he was extraordinarily revered by everyone in Thailand.” 

 

Nurtured countries’ friendship 

Steinmeier said the King “had a share in nurturing the deeply-rooted friendship between our countries, as well as between both peoples”. He added: “The world has lost an exceptional monarch and a head of state who played an important role far beyond Asia.” 

German Ambassador to Thailand Peter Pruegel said the world had lost an outstanding monarch and head of state whose significance reached far beyond Asia. “The King has significantly determined Thailand’s destiny for more than 70 years and has been working tirelessly for peace and for the prosperity of the Thai people.” 

During his long reign, Pruegel added, the King continuously modernised the country with a special focus on sustainable development and turned it into one of the leading countries in Southeast Asia. The envoy sent his heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family and the Thai people. 

“As Germany and Thailand have enjoyed a long-standing friendship for over 154 years, Germany is therefore joining the Thai people with deep sympathy in mourning the passing of the King,” he said.

In a message to Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, Russian President Vladimir Putin said: “HM the King is associated with an important period in Thailand’s recent history that saw great economic development and a stronger position on the international stage.

“Over the decades of his reign, he earned Thai people’s sincere love and earned great authority abroad. He will be remembered in Russia as a principled supporter of developing friendship and cooperation between our countries.” 

Russian Prime Minister Dimitry Medvedev told his Thai counterpart that His Majesty the King’s entire life was an example of selfless service to his country and people. “I would like to reiterate his large personal contribution to consolidating the traditional friendship and partnership between Russia and Thailand,” he said.

US Secretary of Defence Ash Carter said he joined President Barack Obama in offering his condolences to the Royal Family and all Thais. “His majesty served his nation tirelessly, and his dedication to the people of Thailand will be remembered by future generations,” he said. 

“As His Majesty’s legacy is being honoured around the world, I want in particular to recognise His Majesty’s contributions to the long-standing alliance between our two nations. His efforts to promote peace and stability both within Thailand and throughout the region have greatly benefited the Thai people and the global community, and will have a lasting impact.” 

US Secretary of State John Kerry said he wished to offer his deepest condolences to the Royal Family and all Thais, saying that for more than 70 years the King had led Thailand with “integrity and compassion, always mindful of the needs and aspirations of the Thai people”. He said the King was one of America’s most valued and trusted friends, and was the only monarch in history born in the US. 

“The Bhumibol Adulyadej Square in the city of Cambridge, in my home state of Massachusetts, marks his birthplace and will remain an enduring memorial to the special bond he created between our peoples. He will be long remembered and will be deeply missed.”

In Hanoi, Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said that under the King’s reign Thailand had grown strongly and Thai people had enjoyed prosperity. “As a neighbour and a strategic partner of Thailand, Vietnam treasures the King’s contributions to enhancing cooperation between the two countries,” they said in a joint statement. 

They expressed their hope that Queen Sirikit, the Royal Family and the people of Thailand would overcome the huge loss and continue to bring the country forward as the King desired. 

Unicef also expressed great sadness. “Beloved by his people, and a tireless champion for development and improving the lives of people in Thailand, His Majesty was also a committed advocate for investment in children as the foundation of the country’s development,” it said.