Secretary-General Kofi Annan with King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 2006. Credit: UN Photo/Evan Schneider.

By an IPS Correspondent
UNITED NATIONS, Oct 21 2016 (IPS)

On the morning of 13 October 2016 members of the UN General Assembly observed a minute of silence in honour of Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand, who died earlier that day.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon offered his deep condolences to the Royal family, Government and people of Thailand.

“H.M. King Bhumibol was revered by the people of Thailand as a unifying national leader. He was also highly respected internationally,” said Ban.

“At this time of sorrow and loss, I hope that Thailand will continue to honour King Bhumibol’s legacy of commitment to universal values and respect for human rights,” he said.

The President of the UN General Assembly Peter Thomson expressed his profound sadness at the passing away of King Adulyadej.

“King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, the world’s longest reigning Monarch at the time of his passing, was a venerated leader with an unwavering commitment to his country and the social and economic improvement of its inhabitants,” said Thomson.

“A highly respected statesman dedicated to peace and regional security and prosperity, King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s legacy will continue to live in our hearts and minds,” he said.

King Adulyadej received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the United Nations Development Programme in 2006.

The UN General Assembly observed a moment of silence for the King of Thailand. UN Photo/Evan Schneider.

“Your Majesty has made an extraordinary contribution to human development,” then Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on presenting the award.

“As the world’s ‘Development King,’ Your Majesty has reached out to the poorest and the most vulnerable people of Thailand – regardless of their status, ethnicity or religion – listened to their problems, and empowered them to take their lives in their own hands,” said Annan.

Annan also acknowledged Adulyadej’s “invaluable role in shaping the global development dialogue,” through his Sufficiency Economy Philosophy which emphasises: “moderation, responsible consumption, and resilience to external shocks.”