Thai residents in Oxfordshire are today mourning the loss of the King of Thailand.

The Queen has now become the world's longest reigning living monarch following the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.

He had reigned since June 9 1946, and was two years younger than the Queen.

Mark Vongsakul, 37, came to Oxford more than 20 years ago when his parents opened the Thai restaurant, Bangkok House, in Hythe Bridge Street, said the Thai community in Oxfordshire was saddened by the loss of the King.

He added: "He was much loved and respected, like a deity in Thailand.

"There are thousands of Thai people living in Oxfordshire and they will all be feeling this loss.

"The King was loved by little school kids and the older generation alike.

"He was a hard-working individual and revered and respected for coming up with solutions to the country's drought problem with rainmaking techniques and new irrigation systems."

Mr Vongsakul organised last month's Thai festival in Botley Park which featured food stalls and music.

More than 2,000 people attended and Mr Vongsakul is hoping the festival can take place over two days next year instead of one.

He added: "Prayers will be said at the Thai temple in Abingdon Road.

"The King had been ill for some time so perhaps it was not completely unexpected but it is still a shock."

Following the King's death aged 88, the Queen is the longest serving current head of state on the planet.

But she is unlikely to acknowledge such a record, particularly as the Thai people are grieving for their revered head of state.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej - whose name means "strength of the land, incomparable power" - had been in poor health for a number of years and was rarely seen in public.

The Royal Palace said the king's health had deteriorated until he passed away peacefully at Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital, where a large crowd had been holding a vigil.

Prime Minister Theresa May and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson joined leaders around the world in paying tribute to the monarch, whose death will be marked with a one-year mourning period by Thai government officials.