The last days of Rama IX

Five years ago I was the first journalist in the world to report that King Bhumibol Adulyadej had died. Here's the uncensored story of the end of his seven-decade reign.

Last Wednesday was the fifth anniversary of the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, at the age of 88, after a reign of more than seven decades. King Vajiralongkorn presided over a ceremony to honour his father, alongside his wife Queen Suthida and his main mistress Sineenat “Koi” Wongvajirabhakdi.

Prime minister Prayut Chan-ocha and his wife Naraporn held …