King Bhumibol Adulyadej was the world's longest-reigning and the country's revered monarch. Bhumibol, a constitutional monarch with no formal political role, was widely regarded as Thailand's unifying figure.
In Photos: The Reign of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej
![A portrait of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej (L) adorns a stage as fireworks explode over Bangkok, Dec. 5, 1999, in celebration of the king's 72nd birthday.](https://gdb.voanews.com/E3ABC3D0-AE5A-4760-9440-8F95110091AF_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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A portrait of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej (L) adorns a stage as fireworks explode over Bangkok, Dec. 5, 1999, in celebration of the king's 72nd birthday.
![King Bhumibol Adulyadej (R) harvests rice at a project sponsored by the royal family in Prachinburi province about 100 kms east of Bangkok, Nov. 18, 1998. The 71-year-old king told local farmers that self-reliance would help them weather the country's most severe economic crisis in decades.](https://gdb.voanews.com/EAABC5F0-CD0E-4517-8F5D-204C84C417B2_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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King Bhumibol Adulyadej (R) harvests rice at a project sponsored by the royal family in Prachinburi province about 100 kms east of Bangkok, Nov. 18, 1998. The 71-year-old king told local farmers that self-reliance would help them weather the country's most severe economic crisis in decades.
![King Bhumibol Adulyadej grants an occasion to newly appointed Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai at the Royal Palace in Bangkok, Nov. 14, 1997.](https://gdb.voanews.com/D9A63838-7222-4EAE-82CD-9680F44C110B_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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King Bhumibol Adulyadej grants an occasion to newly appointed Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai at the Royal Palace in Bangkok, Nov. 14, 1997.
![King Bhumibol convenes the first meeting of his country's National Reform Assembly in a ceremony held recently in Bangkok, Nov. 30, 1976.](https://gdb.voanews.com/047F7533-C57B-4EE1-8BC2-5EB044A0060A_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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King Bhumibol convenes the first meeting of his country's National Reform Assembly in a ceremony held recently in Bangkok, Nov. 30, 1976.