BANGKOK -- King Bhumibol Adulyadej's twilight years, largely spent living in a hospital, were marred by constant speculation about his impending demise, the trampling of constitutional democracy in protracted bouts of street protests, two coups, and uncertainty about his successor.
In 2008, when he could still stand to receive people, King Bhumibol told nine foreigners granted an audience that he planned to live for at least five more years. Unprompted, he also brought up the question of his succession. The throne would pass to his only son, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, he stated unequivocally.
