Your Last Farewell To The King of Thailand

Thailand people pay once more their respect to the Father of The Nation. King Bhumibol Adulyadej Passed Away Last Year. His Royal Cremation will take place later this month.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej ruled Thailand seven decades and was the longest ruling Monarch in the World.

During this time that the Late King Rama IX was in power, He developed different Royal Projects that helped Thailand today. Through his charitable works, the former King devoted himself to assisting Thailand and the Thai people develop.

Royal King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Royal Projects

Royal Projects led initiatives in encouraging opium growers to cultivate alternative cash crops, as well as working on flood prevention and irrigation systems. The list seems endless of the contributions His Late Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej made to Thailand.

It is not, without doubt, to say the Thai people have loved and even Expatriates who live in Thailand for a long time has started loving this incredible Monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej or King Rama IX, so much and with a dedication rarely seen in modern times.

So, it is no understatement that his passing last October 2016 had a tremendous impact on the entire country. Thailand and its people went into mourning, and, as is tradition, his Late Majesty’s cremation ceremony takes place this month.

During the different funeral ceremonies, indeed throughout this month, people will remember the late King across the country. Most rituals and rites will take place in and around the Royal Cremation Site.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej Ceremonial Concept of Universe

The old belief states that the Royal King has a divine status. In Buddhism cosmology, the concept of trai-bhum features the Universe and the existence of a heaven and hell. This Universe concept sets the centre and four continents. Mount Semeru is where the people live, surrounded by the Ocean Mount Sattaboripan. It is the highest place that serves as heaven and where the Gods live. In this belief, it is the King, Naranya who visits Earth to guard the World’s Piece. And when a King passes, He returns to the Mount Sumeru, the centre of the Universe. The Royal Cremation is an execution of this holy belief and there for the Phra Meru Mas, which is the Pyre. The Mount Semeru lights from the purest gold. The architects and constructors have created a concept of Universe. Landscaping, architecture and all the elements around the cremation site harmonises with this idea.

Phra Meru Mas (the Royal Crematorium) for the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej

The Grand Palace and national sites around the Royal Palace will not be open during the week of the funeral ceremonies.

A specially designed construction based on the ancient Royal traditions to execute the funeral rites for a King. The structure is standing at 53 meters high. The Royal Crematorium includes nine beautiful architectural masterpieces in the style of Busabok. A decorative throne points up from the base of the structure into an elaborately decorated tiered roof with spire top.

The structure was built on a three-tiered, square-shaped base with staircases on each side measured sixty meters wide. The Principal Busabok sits on the top layer of the Royal Crematorium’s support. This ninth Busabok has a seven-layer spired roof that houses Phra Chittakathan. The catafalque for enshrining the Royal urn is from beautiful sandalwood. Sang, the name for a smaller Busabok is on top of the four corners of the Royal Crematorium’s base. Sang is the monk’s room with a five-tiered roof for prayers. The remaining four Busabook layers have been placed at the four corners to bring the total number of Busabook to nine.

There Are Six Royal Processions

Six different processions take place during The Grand Royal Ceremonial Procession for Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The Royal Chariots, Vehicles, Palanquins and other products that reflect his Status have been renovated or repaired and for one goal only; moving the Royal Remains, Relics and Ashes to the last destination. Pullers and bearers will partial or in full take part of the rehearsals to ensure that the funeral processions for this Late King will proceed to conjure an image of him ascending to Heaven.

Thailand Welcomes Visitors During Mourning

Thailand prides itself on being an international travel destination, but people must be aware that the country mourns the passing of King Rama IX, especially during October.  Although in mourning, the government and people of Thailand understand that visitors will still love to enjoy their time in the Kingdom. You may not have known the funeral when you made your travel plans. For the most part, businesses will be open, but for October 25 to 27, visitors should take extra care.

Before making plans or heading out, you should contact your travel agent, hotel concierge, or the Tourism Authority of Thailand to make sure the place you want to visit is open. Since most ceremonies will be in Bangkok, there may be traffic issues getting around the city, so some have suggested that you may want to consider visiting towns around Thailand during this period.

You Can Enjoy Yourself and Still Be Respectful

Visitors to and people living in Thailand should be respectful during this sober period. You will not need to wear black, as most locals will, but you should act and dress appropriately. Thailand is known as a culture that holds respect, manners, and deference high. So, during this mourning period, the country hopes visitors will do so as well. Most night venues shall be closed to pay respect and alcohol sales will limit or not be available.

In case that you would like to read more about the life of King Bhumibol, we recommend you to read Thailand, a nation in mourning.

Official Public Holidays in Thailand

13 October 2017 is the H.M. The Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej Memorial Day
23 October 2017 Chulalongkorn Day
26 October 2017 H.M. The Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej Cremation Day

Thai funeral etiquette

During the Royal Cremation ceremonies, different Thailand funeral etiquette applies.

1. Dress code to join the funeral cremation flower ceremonies on 26 October 2017

Males

  • Black Shirt and Collars
  • Long trousers
  • Black Shoes

Females

  • Long sleeve blouses
  • Full body dresses
  • Long skirts
  • Black shoes

Dress code during King Bumibhol Adulyadej Royal Cremation period from 13-27 October 2017

Wear out of respect during this period non-colourful clothes such as white, black and grey. The dress code returns to normal after 28 October.