A woman holds a photograph of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand as she waits with other mourners to see the motorcade carrying the body of the monarch to the Grand Palace in Bangkok. (Dario Pignatelli/Bloomberg News)THAILAND PLUNGED deep into mourning on Thursday following the death of much-revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world’s longest-reigning monarch. King Bhumibol presided over Thailand’s modernization during 70 years on the throne and was beloved for his dedication to the country’s poor. Now they have responded to the king’s death by ordering a year of mourning and instructing all television media to broadcast only state programming. The Obama administration should also coordinate with its democratic allies in Asia, such as Indonesia, Japan and Australia, so as to present a joint front if the regime steps up repression, with or without the collaboration of the new king.

Source: Washington Post October 15, 2016 22:11 UTC