Photo ReutersThe head of Thailand's royal advisory council will stand in as regent while the country grieves over the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and awaits for his son to formally succeed him, the government said. The world's longest-reigning monarch, King Bhumibol died on Thursday in a Bangkok hospital, at the age of 88. "There must be a regent for the time being in order not to create a gap," Wissanu said. He has married and divorced three times, and has spent much of his life outside Thailand, often in Germany. Most Thais have known no other monarch and King Bhumibol's picture is hung in almost every house, school and office.

Source: Otago Daily Times October 15, 2016 19:18 UTC