Thailand begins 5-day funeral for King Bhumibol

BANGKOK — Thailand on Wednesday began an elaborate five-day funeral for King Bhumibol Adulyadej with his son, the new monarch, performing Buddhist merit-making rites in preparation for moving Bhumibol’s remains to a spectacular golden crematorium.

Thousands of mourners dressed entirely in black have endured tropical heat during the day and torrential rains at night as they waited to enter the historic royal quarter of Thailand’s capital to bid farewell to a monarch celebrated as a unifying symbol throughout his seven-decade reign.

Some had waited for a day or two to enter the area.

Royals and dignitaries from more than 40 countries were scheduled to attend the cremation, including Britain’s Prince Andrew, Japan’s Prince Akishino and Princess Akishino, Queen Maxima from the Netherlands, the King and Queen of Bhutan and US Secretary of Defence James Mattis.

“It’s overwhelming,” said one mourner, Aporn Wongdee, 60, who hails from the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat. “I’ve been here for two days already and I want to see our father to heaven.”

Bhumibol, who was the world’s longest reigning monarch, died on Oct 13 last year aged 88, sparking a national outpouring of grief and a year of official mourning. More than 12 million people, nearly a fifth of Thailand’s population, visited the palace throne hall where the king’s body has been kept for the past year.

Thais are known for their reverence of Bhumibol, which palace officials assiduously cultivated over his reign, and the funeral will be an intensely somber event.

The influence and status of Thailand’s monarchy was revived during his reign and he earned genuine affection for high-profile visits to remote parts of the countryside and efforts to improve the lot of the country’s poor.

Yuwadee Tyler said she had come from Hobart in Australia where she has lived for more than a decade.

“When I know my king is passed away, my heart is broken,” she said. “I am so glad to be here.”

Meanwhile, swathes of Bangkok’s historic center will be halted, with roads shut around the Grand Palace, but some public transport to the site will be free.

Tourists were not expected to wear black like most Thais have done since the king’s death last year, but visitors have been asked to dress and behave “respectfully”.