Thai king’s death will not affect election timeline: media

A mourner pays respects to Thailand’s late King Bhumibol Adulyadej outside of the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand, October 16, 2016. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

A general election will take place in Thailand next year as planned by the ruling junta, local media reported on Monday, while Thais grieved over the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej who died last week after seven decades on the throne.

The death of King Bhumibol, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, had raised questions over whether a return to civilian rule could be delayed and elections planned for 2017 might be pushed back by the military-led government.

Thailand has begun a year of mourning for King Bhumibol, whose death at the age of 88 was announced by the palace on Thursday.

Passengers dressed in black and white or dark coloured clothes, to mourn the passing of Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, are seen during the morning rush hour at a station in Bangkok, Thailand, October 17, 2016. REUTERS/Issei Kato

King Bhumibol earned the devotion of Thais for his efforts to help the rural poor, including agricultural development projects. He was also seen as a stabilizing figure in a country often wracked by political turmoil.