EI SUN OH
After a prolonged period of essentially being confined to a sickbed, King Bhumipol of Thailand passed away last week at the ripe age of 89. Bhumipol reigned for seven decades, the longest of modern monarchs around the world. He ascended to the throne almost right after the Second World War, experienced both the commencement and the conclusion of the Cold War, and of course, the uniquely turbulent modern political history of Thailand. Almost the whole of Thailand was saddened incessantly by the passing of Bhumipol, and a whole year of mourning has been declared.