Thais flock to grand palace to pay respect to late king Bhumibol over the long weekend

Record ID: 83975

  • Title: Thais flock to grand palace to pay respect to late king Bhumibol over the long weekend
  • Date: 23rd October 2016
  • Summary: BANGKOK, THAILAND (OCTOBER 23, 2016) (REUTERS) PEOPLE SLEEPING AT SANAM LUANG GROUND VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WAKING UP PEOPLE SLEEPING FLOWERS IN FRONT OF KING BHUMIBOL PORTRAIT FLOWERS WOMAN PAYING RESPECT WIPING TEARS PEOPLE WAITING IN FRONT OF GRAND PALACE WOMEN HOLDING KING PHOTO SITTING PEOPLE WAITING IN FRONT OF GRAND PALACE VARIOUS OF PALACE OFFICIALS STANDING VARIOUS OF PEOPLE SITTING VARIOUS OF PEOPLE SITTING IN TENT PEOPLE WALKING ON STREET PEOPLE WALKING PASS SIGN MOURNING TO KING BHUMIBOL (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) 45 YEAR-OLD PIYAMAT PANTANUSORN SAYING: "He (the king) never asked for anything in return for what he did but this is the last chance for me to do something (for him). (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) 25 YEAR-OLD PARIN SERMNUKARN SAYING: "He is the center of the people, the father. He is the most important person in my life." PEOPLE WALKING PEOPLE BUYING BLACK CLOTHES BANGKOK, THAILAND (OCTOBER 22, 2016) (REUTERS) MAN WALKING INTO STADIUM VARIOUS OF PEOPLE CLEANING PEOPLE EATING VARIOUS OF PEOPLE ARRANGING SLEEPING BAGS
  • Embargoed: 7th November 2016 03:50
  • Keywords: Thailand king Bhumibol dead mourners
  • Location: BANGKOK,THAILAND
  • City: BANGKOK,THAILAND
  • Country: Thailand
  • Topics: Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0015585OP3
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Thai people continue to flock to the grand palace on Sunday (October 23) to pay their respects to late king Bhumibol Adulyadej.
    Many spent the night at Sanam Luang ground, an open field next to the grand palace where praying for the late king Bhumibol will be carried on for a hundred days.
    The government has declared a year of mourning for the 88-year old king, who was seen as a father figure for generations of people, and, though a constitutional monarch, a calming influence over the country's often turbulent politics.
    People lined up at dawn to get into the grand palace.
    They said paying their respects to the late king is the least they could do in return for what he had done for the country.
    "He (the king) never asked for anything in return for what he did but this is the last chance for me to do something (for him)," said Paiamat Pantanusorn.
    "He is the center of the people, the father. He is the most important person in my life," said Parin Sermnukarn.
    The government also provided accommodation to those who had travelled from far away at the Thai-Japan youth center.
    Since the king died, people from across Thailand have flocked to the gilded Grand Palace to pay homage to the only king most of them have ever known, who is lying in state there.
    Buddhist monks have been chanting prayers beside his coffin in an imposing throne hall, and they will chant for 100 days as part of the funeral rites.
    Thai people will also commemorate the death of King Chulalongkorn Rama 5 on Sunday.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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