RantCrush Top 5: October 13, 2016

King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand has passed away at the age of 88. The King was dearly loved in the country and was actually born in the U.S. and grew up in Europe. He was the longest reigning monarch in the world—crowned in 1946 at the age of 19. To illustrate just how long ago this was:

“When King Bhumibol ascended the throne, World War II had just ended, India was still part of the British Empire and France still occupied Thailand’s neighbors, Cambodia and Laos and also Vietnam,” said NPR reporter Michael Sullivan.

If you’re coming to #Thailand on holiday, please be respectful of that fact that Thai people are in mourning. Wear muted colors if you can.

— Richard Barrow (@RichardBarrow) October 13, 2016

You are the one on my heart who have taken care of all people in Thailand. I Love you my KING. You’ll be on our heart forever #ThaiKing

— Kittiya Katthong (@KittiyaKatthong) October 13, 2016

This is important because Thailand has been in a political flux lately, since a military coup overthrew the democratically elected government in 2014, and was followed by serious protests and a bomb attack in Bangkok last year. The Crown Prince is not at all as popular as his dad and the death is expected to leave a big vacuum in the country.

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