South Korean President Park Geun-hye has credited HM King Bhumibol for his leadership as the “father of Thailand and its spiritual pillar” in offering her condolences to the people of Thailand and the Royal Family.
Park in a statement also expressed gratitude that Thailand during HM King Bhumibol’s reign sent troops to fight with allied forces led by the United States during the 1950-1953 Korean War, which was triggered by North Korea’s invasion of the South.
“On behalf of the government of the Republic of Korea and its people, I express deep condolences to the Royal Family and Thai people,” Park said in a statement.
China has credited HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej for his “remarkable contributions” to Thailand’s development.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that HM the King worked to strengthen ties between China and Thailand and “made an irreplaceable contribution to cementing the two people’s friendship and expanding bilateral cooperation.”
“China deeply mourns King Bhumibol’s passing and expresses sincere condolences to the Thai people and government,” the ministry said.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said the men and women of the Department of Defense joined President Obama in offering their condolences to the Royal Family of the Kingdom of Thailand and the people of Thailand.
“As His Majesty’s legacy is being honored around the world, I want in particular to recognize His Majesty’s contributions to the longstanding alliance between our two nations,” Carter said.
Hong Kong’s acting chief executive, Carrie Lam, has expressed profound sadness at the passing of HM the King.
“On behalf of the people and Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, it is with great sadness that I express our profound condolences on the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej,” Lam said in a statement.
“We join the people of Thailand during this period of national mourning and reflection,” Lam said.
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Friday described HM King Bhumibol as “a major figure in modern Asian history.”
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of His Majesty and we offer our condolences to the Thai royal family and the people of Thailand,” Turnbull told Radio 3AW.
“He is a major figure in modern Asian history. Under his reign, Thailand’s population grew from just under 20 million to over 67 million and of course the strides in economic and social development have been enormous,” Turnbull said.
“The Thai community in Australia, which is close to 50,000, will particularly feel the loss of His Majesty, a very, very revered figure,” Turnbull said.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key says his thoughts are with the people of Thailand following the death of HM the King.
“King Bhumibol was the world’s longest serving monarch and presided over a period of transformative growth and development that saw Thailand emerge as a regional leader and one of South East Asia’s major economies,” Key said.
He said that HM the King and HM Queen Sirikit visited New Zealand, and that more than 100,000 New Zealanders visit Thailand each year.
“I extend the New Zealand Government’s sincerest condolences to Queen Sirikit, Thailand’s Royal Family and all the people of Thailand,” Key said.
Indonesia is offering its deepest condolence to Thailand on the death of the country’s king.
In a statement at the state palace, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said HM the King was a world leader who was close to his people and brought prosperity during his reign of 70 years.
“On behalf of the Indonesian government and people, I express deep condolences on the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej,” Jokowi said. “The world has lost a leader who was close to the people, a carrier of peace and unity and prosperity for the people of Thailand.”
He emphasized that the HM the King’s modesty and concerns for his people deserves to be emulated.
Former President Bill Clinton and his wife Democratic Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton have offered their heartfelt condolences over the death of HM the King, calling him a kind, good leader.
“His Majesty deepened ties between the U.S. and Thailand, our first ally in Southeast Asia. He was a true servant leader, acting with wisdom, strength, humility, and genuine care for the welfare of all people,” the former president said in a statement issued Thursday.
He added: “I was honored to visit Thailand as President on the 50th year of his reign when we celebrated our shared love of jazz music, and Hillary was grateful to have had the opportunity, with President Obama, to visit with His Majesty on her last trip to Thailand.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent his condolences over the death of HM the King, noting the country’s achievements during his 70-year reign.
Putin said that HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej has presided over successful economic development and contributed to the strengthening of Thailand’s positions abroad. He said in his telegram that the king won “sincere love of his people and high respect abroad.”
According to the Kremlin, Putin also noted in his letter that HM the King will be remembered in Russia for his support of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Putin offered his support for the Royal Family, the government and the people of Thailand.
The U.N. General Assembly and Security Council stood in silent tribute to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called him “a unifying national leader” who is “highly respected internationally.”
Assembly President Peter Thompson asked the assembly at the start of Thursday’s meeting to stand for a moment of silence in tribute to HM the King, who died earlier in the day. Shortly after, Russia’s deputy U.N. ambassador, Petr Iliichev, did the same at the start of a Security Council meeting.
The assembly, the council, and the secretary-general sent condolences to the Royal Family and the government and people of Thailand.
“At this time of sorrow and loss,” Ban said, “I hope that Thailand will continue to honor King Bhumibol’s legacy of commitment to universal values and respect for human rights.”
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has expressed her condolences on the death of HM King Bhumibol, saying the monarch modernized and strengthened his country during his seven decades on the throne.
Merkel said in a statement Thursday that HM the King had “worked tirelessly for the welfare of the Thai people” and steered the country through “political and economic crises.”
Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said HM the King had contributed significantly to the friendship between Thailand and Germany.
Dutch King Willem-Alexander has paid tribute to his Thai counterpart HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej, praising him for “emphasizing the values of harmony and peaceful cooperation in his country.”
Willem-Alexander says in a statement that “my wife, my mother and I have warm memories of our meetings” with HM the King.
Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders, in Bangkok for a meeting of the European Union and Southeast Asian nations, called HM the King “a symbol for unity” for the Thai population who played a stabilizing role in politically turbulent times in his country.
The Dutch Foreign Ministry adjusted its travel advice for Thailand to reflect the period of mourning for the king.
The ministry advises travelers to “respect the restrictions on social life” imposed by local authorities and says that “critical comments or discussions about the royal house must be avoided.”
The president of France has offered his condolences after the death of HM the King.
In a statement, French President Francois Hollande hailed HM the King for his “exceptional human qualities. His profound sense of justice, his care for modernity and sustainable development that earned him the affection of the Thai people, as well as the world’s esteem.”
Secretary of State John Kerry says the United States “stands with the people of Thailand at this difficult time” after the death of its king.
Kerry said in a statement Thursday, “Our thoughts and prayers are with you.”
King Bhumibol Adulyadej was born in the U.S. Kerry said that a square named for HM the King at his birthplace in Cambridge, Massachusetts, “will remain an enduring memorial to the special bond he created between our peoples. He will be long remembered and will be deeply missed.”
Massachusetts is Kerry’s home state.
U.S. & Thai nations are close allies and have diplomatic relations dating back more than 180 years. HM the King visited the U.S. twice in the 1960s and addressed Congress.
British Prime Minister Theresa May issued a statement expressing “my sincere personal condolences to the royal family and the people of Thailand on the death of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.”
“His Majesty guided the Kingdom of Thailand with dignity, dedication and vision throughout his life. He will be greatly missed,” she said.
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven told Sweden’s TT news agency, “My condolences to the royal family but also to the whole Thai people. King Bhumibol has meant a lot to the Thai people. That one can notice when in Thailand.”
Finland’s Foreign Minister Timo Soini tweeted: “I’m deeply saddened to receive the news about the passing of His Majesty the King; sincere condolences to the people of Thailand.”
US President Barack Obama
President Barack Obama is offering his condolences to Thailand on the death of HM the King.
Obama says HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej was a tireless champion of his country’s development and showed an “unflagging devotion” to improving the standard of living for the Thai people.
Obama says HM the King was a close friend of the United States and a valued partner of many U.S. presidents. He recalled meeting HM the King during a 2012 visit to Thailand.
Obama says HM the King leaves behind a legacy of care for the Thai people that future generations will cherish.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak offered his heartfelt condolences to the Thai Royal Family and the people of Thailand after the death of HM King Bhumibol on Thursday.
“King Bhumibol was a towering presence whose contribution to Thailand, and the rest of the region, is beyond words. We join the Thai people in mourning his loss,” Najib wrote on his Facebook.
Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he was in “deep sorrow” at the death of Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and remembered him as a gentle person.
“On behalf of the government of Japan and its people, I express my sincerest condolences,” Abe said in a message released Thursday. “I remember King Bhumibol as a highly gifted and gentle person.”
He praised HM the King for his contribution in lifting Thailand’s economy.
“As a spiritual support for the people, His Majesty has led Thailand’s remarkable development and advancement of the people’s living standard,” Abe said.
Japan’s Emperor Akihito visited Thailand in 1991 in his first trip abroad after ascending to the throne.
“The King’s great contribution in deepening friendship between Japan and Thailand will be remembered by all Japanese people,” he said.
The Philippines says it is mourning Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The king, who died Thursday, was “the guiding hand behind the emergence of Thailand as one of the most progressive countries in the whole of Asia,” said presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella.
The statement issued on behalf of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and the Filipino people said they extended their deepest condolences to his family and those HM the King left behind.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted a condolence message Thursday: “People of India and I join the people of Thailand in grieving the loss of one of the tallest leaders of our times, King Bhumibol Adulyadej,” he wrote.
Modi said his thoughts were with HM the King’s family and others.
