President Bounnhang Vorachit signed on Oct 18 at the Thai Embassy in Vientiane a book of condolences to mourn the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of the Kingdom of Thailand who passed away on Oct 13 at the age of 88.

In the message, the president referred to King Bhumibol Adulyadej as a King who had exerted a high level of sacrifice and great devotion, dedicating physical and mental efforts for the nation and people of Thailand over the 70 years of his reign and expressed his profound mourning, sharing his sadness with all members of the Royal Family and people of Thailand over the king’s passing.

King Bhumibol, who would have turned 89 on Dec 5 of this year, passed away peacefully at the Chalermphrakiet Building at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok at 3:52 pm on Oct 13. 

“All royal family members were in attendance at the time,” said the English daily Bangkok Post. 

The ninth King of the Chakri Dynasty ascended to the throne on June 9, 1946 and was the world's longest-reigning monarch.

Well-wishers in pink and yellow had been flocking to the hospital to pray for him since the Royal Household Bureau of the Kingdom of Thailand announced on Oct 9 that the King's condition was "unstable".

“For seven decades, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej was Thailand’s guiding light. The monarch, regarded far and wide as the Father of the nation, took the country out of several deadly turns with his wise counsel. His fortitude and devotion to human development were an inspiration to all,” said a mourning message posted by the post.