BANGKOK: Thailand bade a final goodbye to its beloved late King Bhumibol Adulyadej yesterday in a ceremony steeped in ancient rituals, processions and Buddhist rites that drew hundreds of thousands of mourners.
Despite heavy downpours, black-clad mourners crowded Bangkok’s historic quarter where the king’s cremation took place.
The $90 million funeral marks the end of an era for many Thais who had only ever known King Bhumibol as their monarch. It ushers in
the reign of the late king’s son King Maha Vajiralongkorn, or Rama X, who ascended the throne last year but whose coronation can only take place after his father’s funeral.
King Vajiralongkorn has overseen sweeping changes to the royal household, including the running of palace finances.
Earlier in the day members of the Thai royal family, visiting dignitaries and government officials placed sandalwood flowers at the royal funeral pyre.
The cremation of King Bhumibol began with Buddhist religious rites and ceremonial candle-lighting by saffron-robed monks.
Many of those lining the Thai capital’s streets had slept overnight on pavements near the Grand Palace to capture vantage spots for the funeral procession that wended past buildings draped in yellow marigolds.
“This is the last goodbye,” said one tearful visitor, Pimsupak Suthin, 42, who travelled from the northern province of Nan to attend the function. “I really love and miss him. It is very difficult to describe.”