Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej was the revered "father of the nation" whose reign spanned seven politically turbulent decades Jalyn Holmes Youth Jersey , shielded by harsh defamation laws and an intense personality cult.


The world's longest-serving royal sovereign until his death on Thursday at the age of 88, Bhumibol rebuilt a near-extinct monarchy into one of the wealthiest and most powerful on the planet -- and one whose roots go deep into modern-day Thailand.

Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose reign witnessed regular bouts of political turmoil, coups and violent unrest, was revered as a serene and caring father of the nation Brian O'Neill Youth Jersey , and a bulwark in troubled times (AFP PhotoPornchai Kittiwongsakul) Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose reign witnessed regular bouts of political turmoil, coups and violent unrest, was revered as a serene and caring father of the nation, and a bulwark in troubled times (AFP PhotoPornchai Kittiwongsakul) Thai royal family Thai king and his wife when they were young

Thailand's absolute monarchy was abolished in 1932, but under the official title of King Rama IX Danielle Hunter Youth Jersey , Bhumibol exercised a powerful moral authority and also a political one as his reign matured -- albeit often away from the public eye.


Crowned in 1950, many analysts attribute his longevity during an era pock-marked with political violence to deep ties with a military that relied on his official endorsement of their repeated coups.


"He viewed it as a partnership for developing the country," said Paul Handley, author of the unauthorised biography "The King Never Smiles", which is banned in Thailand.


The army's latest power grab was in May 2014, when it toppled the elected government of Yingluck Shinawatra.


Right up until his death after a long period of ill health Eric Kendricks Youth Jersey , Bhumibol was seen as a unifying figure in the deeply divided country.


But the end of his reign will heighten fears of an eruption of the turmoil that has blighted the kingdom since Yingluck's billionaire brother Thaksin was overthrown as premier in 2006.


- Image crafting -


Helped by well-publicised rural development projects, the soft-spoken, bespectacled king enjoyed an image of a benevolent moral force in a kingdom with a long history of instability and political bloodshed.


In 2011, Forbes Magazine rated Bhumibol as the world's richest monarch.


But despite his wealth, the keen saxophonist, photographer and sailor was seen as in touch with ordinary Thais.


"In the world of royalty he had a yacht that was five metres long Trae Waynes Youth Jersey , he had palaces but they were small," said Handley, who is now an AFP journalist.


"He didn't surround himself with opulence and people respected him for it... they saw him as a pure figure."


Thais are taught about Bhumibol's good works at school, cinema-goers have to stand for the royal anthem at the start of films, while people prostrated themselves, or crawled Laquon Treadwell Youth Jersey , in his presence.


Giant portraits of the king -- and queen -- pepper towns and cities across the country, while photos of the monarch adorn many Thai households.


Bhumibol remained widely popular up until his death despite spending much of his later life in hospital, where information on his deteriorating health was tightly controlled.


Born on December 5, 1927 in the United States, Bhumibol came to the throne aged 18 in 1946 when his brother was shot dead in mysterious circumstances at the Royal Palace in Bangkok.


He was crowned four years later after finishing his studies in Switzerland.


- Thaksin's rise -


The same year, he married Queen Sirikit and they had four children -- three girls and a boy Ben Gedeon Youth Jersey , the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn.


A man of widely publicised interests, Bhumibol won a gold medal for sailing at the Asian Games in 1967 and was behind some 3,000 rural development projects.


But the hurly-burly of Thai politics dominated his long reign.


In the mid-1960s he travelled his country extensively to support the Thai armed forces' fight against insurgents.


That deepened the already tight alliance with the United States.


In the 1970s the king intervened during several political crises, and in 1992 made a spectacular arbitration between the military and pro-democracy protesters when the leaders of the two camps bowed down before him, in a televised act of deference Dalvin Cook Youth Jersey , and made peace.


The emergence of Thaksin Shinawatra, who was voted in as premier in 2001, shaped the political landscape of Bhumibol's kingdom in the twilight of his reign.


The controversial billionaire ex-premier was adored by many poor Thais but seen by the elite as self-serving, corrupt and a threat to the monarchy due to his popularity.


Thaksin was toppled by the army in 2006.


Bhumibol remained largely silent during a military crackdown on pro-Thaksin "Red Shirt" protests in 2010 that left about 90 people dead and nearly 1,900 wounded in the heart of the capital, despite calls from some opposition figures for his intervention.


With avenues for criticism growing Daniel Carlson Youth Jersey , particularly on social media, authorities strictly enforced Thailand's harsh lese majeste laws, which carry a jail term of up to 15 years on each count for defaming the royals.


The throne is meant to pass to Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, who is untested and has not attained the popularity his father enjoys.


Even if the transition proceeds peacefully, observers say the palace could find itself compelled to swiftly modernise under increased scrutiny.


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