Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Vice President M Jusuf Kalla expressed condolences on the death of the King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej on Thursday evening.

"As a friendly country, Indonesia also expresses its deepest condolences and grief," said Vice President M Jusuf Kalla in Jakarta on Thursday.

The King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej, passed away on Thursday at the age of 88 years, after suffering an illness developed in recent years; his condition had worsened in the past few days. King Bhumibol was loved very much by his people for his wholehearted and sincere service.

"King Bhumibol is loved very much by his people because he serviced his people fairly and down to earth," the vice president said.

The highly respected Thai King was rarely seen in public in recent years due to poor health.

The Thai people looked upon him as the father of the nation, who was above politics. He often mediated political tensions to find a solution without violence.

Until the end of his life, King Bhumibol was the longest-serving monarch in the world.

He began to rule on June 9, 1946 after his brother, King King Ananda Mahidol, died in a shooting incident, which remained unexplained at the Royal Palace in the capital city of Bangkok. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016