Australia 'saddened' by Thai King's death

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says Australia is deeply saddened by the death of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the age of 88.

Mr Turnbull lauded King Bhumibol, the world's longest-serving head of state, as a major figure in modern Asian history who oversaw enormous economic and social development during his seven-decade reign.

"The Thai community in Australia, which is close to 50,000, will particularly feel the loss of His Majesty. He's a very very revered figure and our condolences go out to the Thai royal family and the people of Thailand," he told 3AW's Neil Mitchell on Friday.