Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej has passed away, according to a statement from the palace.He was the world’s longest-reigning monarch, and was on the throne since 1946, a total of 70 years.Thailand’s national legislative assembly will meet at 9pm (10pm Malaysian time) and members have been asked to wear black ties.Earlier in the day, hundreds of people gathered at a Bangkok hospital where the King was being treated, reports The Star.Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha cancelled an evening engagement on Thursday as well as his attendance at a summit in Goa, India, on Sunday without giving a reason.On Wednesday, the palace issued a statement saying that the king’s health had ‘overall not yet stabilised’ and that he was on a ventilator and battling a new infection.He had gone into an unstable condition after receiving haemodialysis treatment.All four of the king’s children, including Thai crown prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, visited the hospital on Thursday and Wednesday.The king is seen as a unifying figure in Thailand. His health, which is watched closely, is a sensitive subject.In addition to this, strict lese-majeste laws mean public discussion of his health and any succession plans are punishable by jail terms.As speculation of the king’s ill-health spread, the Thai government urged jittery stock investors to ignore rumours fearing a declining stock market.