Thailand is marking 70 years since King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning living monarch, ascended to the throne, the BBC reported on Thursday.

The celebrations began with a religious ceremony in Bangkok, led by 770 Buddhist monks, an auspicious number.

The 88-year-old king is revered by Thais, for whom he has been a figure of stability through the country's decades of political upheaval.

But he is in poor health and has not been seen in public for months.

Source : MENA