Thai king marks 70 years on the throne — from hospital bed

BANGKOK — Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, on Thursday marked his 70th year on the throne — from his hospital bed, immobile and racked by a variety of age-related ailments that have made Thais wonder what their world would be like without him.

For most of the past decade the king has lived in a hospital — in a new wing built for him— for treatment of various problems, according to regular palace statements on his health.

On Thursday morning, 770 monks were ordained during religious ceremonies at a newly built throne hall in the palace temple complex, and fireworks will accompany a candlelight gathering near the ceremonial Grand Palace.

The absolute monarchy had been ended by an army coup in 1932, leading to a series of military dictatorships.

Admirers and critics alike credit the king with steering the nation through the turbulent decades of the 1960s and ’70s, when neighboring countries fell prey to war and totalitarian rule.